Sara C Hartley

Sara Castellow Hartley of Chattanooga passed away January 28 at the age of 94. She was born on July 7, 1925, at the home of her maternal grandparents, the Henry Cobbs of Millbrook, Alabama. Her parents settled in Montgomery, where she grew up and was educated. In 1947, she married Irby Ennis Hartley, and after his graduation from Auburn University, they settled in Chattanooga.

After completing what she deemed the most important and enjoyable career in her life of raising their two children, she went into real estate for 26 years. She won several top awards for her sales achievements.

Sara devoted much of her life in service to St. Luke United Methodist Church and her community. She volunteered as a docent for the Chattanooga Aquarium and also volunteered her time with the Senior Friends Program. She also was active in the Valleybrook Community Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Daisy Castellow, and her sister Frances Farnham and her husband Donald Farnham, Sr., all of Montgomery. Sara is survived by her devoted husband, Irby, of 72 years, and son Carl Hartley (Jan), and daughter Anne Hartley Davis (Louis). In addition, she was named the ‘Best Grandmother Ever’ by her grandchildren Laura Hartley, Katie Hartley, Dr. Bryan Hartley (Stephanie), Sara Ann Davis and Hartley Davis, as well as by her great-granddaughter Lily Hartley.

Special thanks to the incredibly kind and attentive professional staff at the Dominion Senior Living facility in Hixson for their invaluable roles in caring for Sara during the last several years, and to Rhonda Yeargan for her steadfast devotion as a caregiver to Sara throughout these last years.

A private family burial will occur on February 1 at Hamilton Memorial Gardens. A celebration of Sara’s life will occur on February 8, 2020 at 3 pm at St. Luke United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Luke United Methodist Church (3210 Social Circle, Chattanooga) or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105).