Sara Kitty Soder

Sara Kathleen Chadwick Soder, more commonly known as Kitty Soder, was born on July 16, 1929, and passed away on February 28, 2025. She was the youngest of five children. Her father, W.E. Chadwick, was a well-known pastor and evangelist in West Tennessee and Arkansas. Her mother, Myrle Adams Chadwick, was the daughter of J.P. Adams, who owned the general store near Adams Chapel in Dresden, Tennessee. Kitty deeply loved her parents and held her mother’s godly character in the highest esteem.

Kitty often spoke fondly of her childhood, and among the many activities she enjoyed, horseback riding was one of her favorites. She was a talented soprano soloist and performed at various events during her high school years, including singing a solo at her graduation from Dyersburg High School in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

During a visit to her sister in Chicago, Illinois, Kitty met her husband and the love of her life, James (Jim) Soder. They married on September 6, 1947, and moved to New Jersey, where they lived until 1966. While in New Jersey, Kitty modeled fashion and hair designs in the New York area. She was featured in magazines modeling a hairdo created by stylist Sam Ferrara. In the mid-1960s, she became the Director of Admissions for the Joseph Paterno Beauty College in Dover, New Jersey.

Having committed her life to Christ at the age of eight, Kitty loved the Lord and served in church throughout her life in many capacities. In the mid-1960s, she became a speaker for Christian Women’s Club International (CWCI). Her first speaking engagement was at the Gettysburg Prayer Breakfast in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower had also spoken. Following her message, 40 women indicated that they wanted to receive Christ. After that day, Kitty traveled throughout the Northeast, speaking to hundreds of women. Each time, 30 to 40 women responded to her message. As a dynamic and effective spokesperson for Christ, Kitty became a popular and prolific speaker for CWCI.

In 1966, when she and her family moved to Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Kitty continued her speaking ministry and served CWCI in many roles, including club chairman, prayer chairman, area representative, and special feature chairman. At Shiremanstown Bible Baptist Church, she organized a Bible school attended by 500 children. As chairman of the Harrisburg Area Christian Women’s Club, she organized a fashion show and banquet attended by 800 women, with Bob Harrington serving as the keynote speaker.

In 1974, the family moved to Martin, Tennessee, where her husband, Jim Soder, started Soder Steel Products. Shortly after their move, Kitty hosted national missionaries from CWCI, and the first Martin Area Christian Women’s Club was established. The club met for many years in the UT Martin Ballroom. Kitty served in various capacities within the club and continued her speaking engagements across the Mid-South. While in Martin, she sang in the choir at First Baptist Church and taught the Young Adult Sunday School class for seven years. She also served as a counselor in the Jail Ministry and Prenatal Ministry.

In her later years, Kitty managed the Antique Mall in Martin. She was also an active member and served as chairman of the Martin Philharmonic. She was particularly proud to serve many years as the chairman of the Weakley County Republican Party and also served on and as chairman of the Weakley County Election Commission.

Throughout her life, Kitty had a considerable ministry in counseling women. She was a beloved friend to many, always eager to help women and share the peace and joy that comes from personally knowing Christ Jesus as Savior—her life's passion. She was an excellent cook, a meticulous homemaker, and a talented decorator. She wanted everyone she met to know Christ, and she spoke of this in her final days on earth, saying, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

Kitty is dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew her. 

Along with her parents Sara is preceded in death by her Husband; James Soder, two brothers;
Joe Chadwick and Howard Chadwick, one sister Mary Louise Olvera.

She is survived by one son; Tim (Donna) Soder Piperton, TN, three daughters; Diane (Mike) Abney of Martin, TN, Wendy (Tim) Taylor of Bell Buckle, TN, and Sherry Goodwin of Kennesaw, GA, eleven; grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Services will be held in Murphy Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 11:00am,
Visitation will be held at Murphy Funeral Home on Wednesday starting at 9:00am until the
hour of service. Burial to follow in Public Wells Cemetery in Martin, TN

Murphy Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements.