Theodore Sebaugh

CEDAR HILL, Tenn. — Theodore Pervis Sebaugh, 81, of Cedar Hill, formerly of Daisy, passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.

He was born to Pervis and Viola Hahs Sebaugh on Sept. 19, 1942, in Cape Girardeau.

Ted was a graduate of Oak Ridge High School and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dairy husbandry from University of Missouri-Columbia.

He met the love of his life, Thekla “Snook” Ludwig, while they were attending Southeast Missouri State University. They married Aug. 8, 1965.

Ted honorably served in the Missouri Army National Guard from 1966 to 1972 as a first lieutenant.

He worked with University of Missouri Extension Service four years before moving back to the family dairy farm, where he partnered with his brother, Dan. Together, Ted and Snook raised their three children on the farm for 21 years before answering the call of God to full-time mission work with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) in 1991. They spent the last 33 years as missionaries, first with YWAM Elm Springs, Arkansas, for 11 years and then with YWAM Nashville, Tennessee, for 22 years. Ted was a pastor to missionaries, shepherding the shepherds of the Kingdom in many countries on six continents.

Ted’s big smile, his kind and gentle nature and his love for his Lord and his family were known by all. He never met a stranger and welcomed all he met into his life with unconditional care and friendship. He will be greatly missed by many.

Ted is survived by his wife of 58 years, Snook Sebaugh; three children, Cheryl (Jeff) Martin, Rodney (Ashley) Sebaugh and Elizabeth (Israel) Prophitt; 14 grandchildren, Derek (Morgan) Martin, Jordan (Asia) Martin, Lindsey Martin, Grace (Dustin) Byram, Katherine, Claire, Ashlynn and Henry Sebaugh and Elijah, Millie, Jeremiah, Sadie, Obadiah and Violet Prophitt; and five great-grandchildren, Brooks, Taya, Lucy and Jonathan Martin and Beau Byram. He also leaves behind his brother, Jim (Pat) Sebaugh; sister-in-law, Linda Sebaugh; brother-in-law, Gene Jurick; and many nieces and nephews.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dan Sebaugh; sisters, Ruth Jurick and Martha Holler; and brother-in-law, H.L. Holler.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 17, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, followed by a memorial service officiated by the Rev. Joshua Schmidt. Military honors will be rendered following the service. Burial will take place at Sargents Chapel Lutheran Church in Daisy at a later date.

A celebration of life for Ted will be held at Belmont Church in Nashville, the date to be determined.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shepherds Watch — a not-for-profit organization bringing pastoral care to missionaries — 3365 Kinneys Road, Cedar Hill, TN 37032.