Dr. Sadie Mae Bearden

Seminole resident Dr. Sadie Mae Bearden, 85, passed away Friday, October 30, 2026, at her home.

Sadie, the daughter of Alonzo and Minnie (Boyd) Presley, was born April 6, 1941, in Chickasha, Oklahoma. A lifelong learner with a dedication to education, Sadie pursued her academic goals with determination, graduating summa cum laude, with her BS and MS at CSU Long Beach, she went on to receive her MBA at Pepperdine University, and ultimately completed her PhD at United States International University.

On October 24, 1958, Sadie married the love of her life, John Bearden, in Delano, California. Together, they shared 67 years of marriage, building a life filled with love, family, and treasured memories. Their remarkable journey together continued until John's passing in March of this year.

Throughout their years together, Sadie and John made their home in Los Angeles County and Orange County, California, before eventually settling in Springville, California, near Sequoia National Monument. Sadie was a Quality Assurance/Program Manager at Hughes Aircraft in Glendale, California, Battlefield Community Data Systems program office, a post she retired from in 1993. Before working for Hughes, she also worked in quality assurance for Rockwell International, working on the first space shuttle, Enterprise. In June of 2015, she and John made the move to Seminole, Oklahoma, where they continued their life together.

Outside of her professional and academic accomplishments, Sadie found enjoyment in the simple pleasures of life. She loved reading and photography, pursuits that allowed her to explore her interests and capture the world around her. She also cherished her role as a hockey mom, a special part of her life that brought its own share of memories and experiences.

Sadie will be remembered for her accomplishments, her many interests, and the life she shared with those she loved. Her passing leaves a lasting void in the lives of her family and friends, who will carry her memory forward.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John, and her parents.

Sadie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Cynthia “Cindy” and Nick Amicone of Ormond Beach, Florida; son and daughter-in-law, Delbert “Del” and Cindy Bearden of Chandler, Texas; her grandchildren, Lindsay Bearden Deshane, Bailey Zinggeler, and Nicholas S. Amicone; her great-grandchildren, Tayler Fox, Lillian DeShane, Emily DeShane, and Emma Zinggeler; along with numerous other family members and friends.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 16, 2026 at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, with interment following at 2:00 p.m. at Wanette Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.