Mary Sue Southard

Our beloved Mary Sue Southard of Snellville, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of Saturday, October 1st, 2022. She was 85 years old. Sue was preceded in death by her parents Claude and Lucy Duvall, her brother Cecil Duvall, and her sisters Helen Shepard, Myrtle Houston, Jean Stewart and Joyce Bates.

She is survived by her younger sister Cheryl Ramsey, her loving husband James Daniel Southard, son Robert Daniel Southard, daughter Cynthia Kaye Upchurch (Rick), son Timothy Kyle Southard, granddaughter Courtney Nicole Henson (Ben), grandson Sean Daniel Southard, and great grandchildren Jackson Avett Henson and Lucy Adeline Henson.

One of seven children, Sue was born in Franklin, North Carolina on May 6th, 1937.  She attended Franklin High School where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Jim, on January 26th, 1954. The following year, Sue and Jim moved to Decatur, Georgia, where they settled and raised their three children; Danny, Cynthia and Tim. Sue was a devoted mother, a loving wife and a wonderful homemaker. She worked as a frontend manager for multiple supermarkets over the years, including Ingles, where she was loyally employed over the last few decades. She was known for her unwavering energy and exemplary work ethic. Sue remained cheerful and persevered despite her COPD diagnosis at age 81, when she officially retired.

Sue enjoyed all sorts of crafts, such as creating beautiful handmade wreaths and flower arrangements that she would gift to others. She enjoyed baking, canning fresh vegetables and entertaining friends and family. All who dined at her table savored her delicious “southern home cooking.”  Sue took pride in her house-keeping and truly made their house a special home. Sue and Jim were happily married for 68 years. Throughout their marriage, they enjoyed a lifetime of hobbies together such as fishing, playing Canasta, and going on trips with their closest friends. Sue adored her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who all lovingly knew her as “Nana” and “Nana Sue.” She had a genuine heart, a witty personality and always carried a smile on her face. She made everyone she met feel welcomed, loved and special.

Sue and Jim’s wish was to be cremated. One day, they will be joined together and their ashes shall be scattered over Lake Oconee, a place where they shared many fond memories of fishing with their dearest friends. The legacy of Sue’s precious spirit will remain forever in our hearts as we look forward to the day we are reunited with her in the presence of our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May she rest in peace.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is posting as a courtesy to the Southard family.