After a brief battle with cancer, Sue Ellen Felton passed from this life on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at the age of 52.
She leaves behind her daughters, Cassie Walker of Oldfield, April Rankin of Springfield, Emily Felton of Willard, and Amanda Felton of Springfield; twelve grandchildren; two sisters, Belinda Browning and Nina Gott of Springfield; her close friend, Bob Frost; and countless other friends and loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Buddy McDowell and Joyce Wallace, and her brother, Kevin Wallace.
For the past several years, she was a resident of Willard, but at her request, family members moved her to “The Homestead,” her childhood home near Strafford, to live out her final weeks.
Known to all as “Susie,” she was loved by so many for her optimism and generous nature. Her passion for life resonated in all areas of her life, from her love of learning to her gift for nurturing to her immovable faith. She was known for always putting others before herself, especially her daughters, whom she raised alone, and her twelve grandchildren, who brought their “Nana” much happiness and were her pride and joy.
Susie was a hard worker who inspired others with her positive energy. She cared about the people she worked with and treated everyone with dignity and respect. When the inmates at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners where she worked as a registered nurse received word of her passing, it brought some of them to tears.
Her memorial service will be held at Green Lawn Cemetery North in Springfield on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at 6:00PM. At 7:30PM, Duffy Mooney of the Plainview Church of Christ will deliver a eulogy with reflections by friends and loved ones to follow.
The family has been overwhelmed by the generosity of her coworkers and friends during the past few months and would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude. The rest of the family would especially like to thank Nina for taking on the responsibility of being her sister’s full-time caretaker for the last couple of weeks; the staff of Mercy hospital and their hospice service for their treatment; and the Green Lawn Funeral Home for helping make the final arrangements.
Susie requested to be cremated. Her ashes will be buried in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in a shared plot where her beloved sister Belinda will someday join her.