Born on November 21, 1940, Sue Ellen Smith took her final earthly breath on March 31, 2025, just as the hymn, "Great is thy Faithfulness "began to softly fill the room.

The hymn was an anthem to her life. In both hardship and favor, Sue Ellen boldly declared the steadfast faithfulness of God.

Sue Ellen graduated from Florida Southern University and earned her Master's in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida. As an educator, Sue Ellen spent a combined twenty years teaching elementary school students and serving as a reading specialist for K-8 students.

Sue Ellen spent an additional eighteen years as the Associate Director of the Title 1 Migrant Program in the Desoto County School System's District Office where her tireless commitment to securing grants and innovating strategies will continue to impact students and families for many years.

Upon retirement, Sue Ellen immersed herself in volunteerism in her church, Trinity United Methodist, and her local community. She was an active member of the choir, the Prayer Place, the Branscomb Lady's Church Group, and the Hazel Parker Sunday School Class. She served as the finance chair, a lay delegate to the Methodist Conference, a staff trustee, and she also assisted with the AWANA program for children. To help supplement church needs, Sue Ellen created and led "Not for Bread Alone" a successful bread baking fundraiser.

She was a member of the Delta Kappa Sorority and served as the President of one of the two literary clubs of which she was a member.

Rarely a day passed that Sue Ellen didn't lace up her Sketchers to walk laps around the track near her home. Maintaining a brisk pace, she simultaneously immersed herself in a book, seamlessly flipping pages while keeping the world around her in her peripheral. Juggling multiple priorities was one of her well mastered skills. She rarely declined the opportunity to provide snacks, coffee, breakfast pastries or dinners for church and community functions.

With her phone clipped to her hip, Sue Ellen could balance a casserole in each hand and stealthily navigate a flight of stairs in four-inch-high heels all while conversing with a friend. She knew how to set and accomplish her goals, and rarely took "no" for an answer when she knew that "yes" was the better one.

In February of 2023, Sue Ellen was involved in a tragic car accident that rendered her paralyzed. Days that were once filled to the brim with church and social functions, as well as investing time into her family were abruptly replaced with surgeries, therapies, and the constant flow of nursing staff and caregivers upon which she relied for almost every basic need.

Despite the extensive injuries that Sue Ellen's body sustained, her mind and spirit remained impenetrable. Faced with the loss of her independence, self-reliance and often her dignity, Sue Ellen's spiritual posture of worship was only elevated, emboldened and empowered. Regardless of her pain and prognosis, Sue Ellen's spirit continued to declare her unwavering and unyielding faith in God's plan.

A little over three months after her accident, Sue Ellen was able to be moved to Boone, NC as she rehabilitated from her injuries. Situated only a mile and a half from her son and his family's home, Glenbridge Rehabilitation Center provided a place for Sue Ellen to recover while closely connected to her nearby family. Her friendships in Florida remained strong, evidenced by the hundreds of cards that adorned "card wreaths" and continued to arrive daily. God even supplied a beloved new friend in Boone that brought both joy and baked goodies while reminding her of her relevance and enjoyable companionship.

Sue Ellen treasured the almost daily visits with her grandson Maddox. After working nearby, he would spend several hours with her, watching their favorite, "Green Arrow," finishing school assignments and discussing the things in life that matter. Despite their ages and stages, Maddox and his grandmother found comfort in each other's companionship. Maddox fell seriously ill in June 2024, and his grandmother, familiar with physical setbacks, encouraged him as he navigated and reclaimed his spiritual and emotional mindset.

After several hospital admissions over the last two months, Sue Ellen's broken body could no longer keep pace with her remarkable mind. While our hearts are grieving, we celebrate her full restoration and are thankful that she is eternally reunited with her husband, George Kilpatrick Smith, who was the love of her life.

Sue Ellen was also preceded in death by her parents David and Ellen Browder and her sister Caroline Strauss. She is survived by her brother David Browder and his family.

Sue Ellen leaves behind to cherish her legacy her beloved children, Paula Beth Valenzuela (Mike), Melissa Watson (Barry) and Kermit Smith (Rebecca), and her adored grandchildren, David and Ashley Epperly, Sean and Brian Watson, and Maddox, Beckett and Georgia Grace Smith.

A celebration of Life will be held on June 21 at 11am at Trinity Arcadia Methodist Church, Arcadia, Florida.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.