Sudartha Vann

Sudartha Ellen Vann

Loving Wife, Mother and Grandmother; Retired Oak Ridge High School Teacher



Sudartha was born on December 5, 1936 in Radford, Virginia. She entered Heaven to be with her Heavenly Father on February 16 , 2018. Sudartha was a resident of Oak Ridge, Tennessee at the time of her passing. She graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1955. She earned a BS from the University of Tennessee in 1964, and MS from the University of Tennessee in 1970. Sudartha taught Health and Physical Education at Oak Ridge High School for thirty years. She truly loved her daily interaction with all of her students. Her colleagues and friends at Oak Ridge High School held a very special place in her heart.

Sudartha is preceded in death by her parents John and Ola Tate. Sudartha is survived by her loving husband, Tracy Vann. She is survived by her children; Victor Vann, Johnny Vann, and Kimberly Vann Cox and son-in-law Phil Cox; sister Deloris Pullum and brother-in-law Lanis Pullum; sister Lorraine Hensley and brother-in-law Carl Hensley; nine grandchildren Justin Vann, Jarod Vann, Josh Vann, Johnny Vann II, Julia Vann, Brianna Vann, Callie Cox, Trevor Cox and Eli Cox; and two great-granddaughters Ryleigh Vann and Alice Vann.

Sudartha enjoyed reading, watching her grandchildren play sports, and traveling with her husband and dear friends, Jackie and Lloyd Wattenbarger. Sudartha enjoyed spending time at her mountain home in the Laurel Valley Community in Townsend, Tennessee. It was there she celebrated her retirement from Oak Ridge Schools' amongst colleagues, family, and friends. Jackie and Lloyd Wattenbarger, friends, and family hosted this lovely event to honor Sudartha.

After graduating from Oak Ridge High School, Sudartha worked for the Oak Ridge Recreation Department as a playground director for two years at Woodland Elementary School.

Sudartha was a good athlete. She earned numerous relay medals swimming at the Oak Ridge Municipal Pool at the ACAC Swim Meets. Large crowds would gather to watch swimmers compete from several southern states. Sudartha played softball for more than ten years for the Kerns Methodist team. These teams were built around strong friendships and winning games and tournaments. Sudartha loved basketball. She participated in the 1954 and 1955 Southern Appalachian Basketball Tournament at Chilhowee Park. These teams were comprised of Oak Ridge Church League players and coached by Margaret Gotshall. Sudartha started a girls basketball team at Oak Ridge High School. She coached the first sanctioned game in 1973. Sudartha enjoyed coaching and attending camps with her players. Sudartha's players were impressed with her love for reading the Bible and her faith. Sudartha started reading her Bible daily in 1946. The team presented her with a lovely Bible in 1974. That Bible was always a prized possession of hers. Sudartha coached through the 1978 season at Oak Ridge High School.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge, 1798 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, phone number (865) 482-4475.

The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to the truly amazing and wonderful Covenant Hospice nurses.

A service will be held at the Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens chapel for family and friends on February 20 , 2018 at 11:00 am with Pastor Robert Melton of Ridgepoint Church officiating. Mott's Floral Designs and Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home are handling all arrangements.