Sally Ita Catherine Lankford

Sally Ita Catherine Lankford, age 86, of Harriman, Tennessee passed away at home with family on August 22, 2026. She was born on March 22, 1940, in Ireland to William and Catherine Daly, as the youngest of their six children.

Sally will be remembered for her playfulness and wicked sense of humor. She had a tireless energy and tried to ensure she had something to show for her day. She made two major relocations in her life. The first was from Ireland to England at the age of 12, and the second from England to the United States at 21. She always said that getting the money straight was the hardest part and she used to joke about having to do it again when she got to Heaven. She conquered many fears over her lifetime including public speaking by becoming a reader of the Sacred Scriptures at church. She proudly earned her U.S. Citizenship in the late 1970’s.

Sally had a fierce devotion to her family. Most of her years were spent at home raising six children and helping raise grandchildren. She worked in England as a telephone switch operator before coming to the United States. Over the years, she added income when needed for her large family by helping others with sewing, ironing, and childcare. She worked at Davis Brothers Cafeteria in Oak Ridge, Tennessee during the early 1980’s keeping the buffet line hot and ready.

She is survived by her six children and their spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Pat, and her parents, and all her siblings.

A Requiem Mass will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 535 Margrave Drive, Harriman, Tennessee. Lunch will follow Mass in the church basement in lieu of receiving of friends. For those wanting to send flowers, please consider donations to a charity, church, or organization that helps the most frail in our society, the children, and the elderly. Sally had a tender heart for both, and she believed in giving with your whole heart. Committal services and inurnment will be held in the Roane Memorial Gardens in Rockwood, Tennessee at a later date.  Evans Mortuary of Rockwood, Tennessee is honored to serve the family of Sally Ita Catherine Lankford.