Mr. Wendel Curtis Sadberry, age 47, of Elkin, passed away Sunday, December 5, 2010 at the Davant Extended Care Center in Blowing Rock. He was stricken by an aortic aneurysm in early March and remained hospitalized until his death. In Christ alone was he given the strong faith and strength to fight so valiantly for the past months. Early Sunday morning the hard fought battle was won as he entered into the presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born in Orlean, France to Samuel and Ruth Blackburn Sadberry where his late father served as a medic in the United States Army. Wendel graduated from East Wilkes High School in 1981 and received a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Surry Community College in 2001. He was employed as a landscaper as well as being employed at the Fast Track in Hamptonville, until the onset of his illness. Wendel was a retired Staff Sargeant with the NC Army National Guard after 20 years service. He also served in the United States Army he was stationed in Germany, Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He had served as a fireman for Pleasant Hill and State Road Fire Departments as well as being in the Wilkes EMS Reserves. After relocating to Yadkin County, he joined the East Bend and Fall Creek Fire Departments and was also an active member of the American Legion Posts of East Bend and Lewisville, NC. Wendel is survived by his mother, Ruth Sadberry and brother Wallis Sadberry of Elkin, his twin brother Willis "Bill" Sadberry and wife Sally and their son Samuel of Morganton, NC. Also surviving are an uncle and aunt, Avery and Dixie Blackburn Pardue of Elkin and an aunt Vonda Hemric Blackburn of Hamptonville. Memorials may be made to Surry Community College Horticulture program, 630 S. Main Street, Dobson, NC 27017. The family will receive friends Thursday, December 9, 2010 at Elkin Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 a.m. A celebration of life will follow at 12:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service Chapel with Rev. Stevie Bullock and Rev. Danny Dodds officiating. Entombment will follow in Crestwood Memorial Gardens in State Road. The family would like to thank Wake Forest University Medical Center, Whitaker Care Rehab Center, Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, Watauga Medical Center, and Davant Long Term Care Center in Blowing Rock where he resided until his death.
