There was nothing more important in this world to Sue than her family. There are countless examples of this throughout her life, but how she chose to leave this earth is one of the best. She knew how loved and cherished she was and how important it was that her family, near and far, were allowed to say goodbye. After a last visit from her sister and each of her four grandchildren and after a night spent under the same roof with her two children, Carmen Sue Childers Jameson passed peacefully in her home on the morning of January 10, 2024.
Sue was born to Wanda and J.D. (Dutch) Talbert on September 14, 1934 in Bearden, Arkansas. She became a big sister to Anne a couple of years later, which began a lifelong, close sisterhood that carried them both through many ups and downs.
Sue began her life adventures by marrying her high school sweetheart, Norman Childers, in 1952, just one day after graduating from Bearden High School. The couple embarked on a life together that spanned across the country. They started their life together in California before returning to Bearden. Their journey continued to Indiana for construction work, where they made lasting memories raising their family until 1971 when they settled in Smackover, Arkansas. In Smackover, Sue and Norman established Norman Childers, Inc., a road construction company where Sue often helped by flagging traffic. Norman Childers, Inc. eventually transitioned into C&F Construction, Inc. and is now known as Smackover Paving, Inc.
If you thought that Sue’s talents started and stopped with flagging traffic, you would be wrong. Sue was a woman of many talents and passions. She embraced adventure by obtaining a pilot's license, which allowed her to fly private planes. She was legendary at roller skating and even proved proficient at water and snow skiing. She played a mean piano and was a feared opponent to all who dared challenge her at Scrabble or Words With Friends. Perhaps Sue’s most remarkable talent was convincing Debbie and Philip that her precious grandchildren never acted badly on purpose; they were simply tired and didn’t feel good.
Sue faced the profound and sudden loss of her beloved Norman to a brief battle with cancer in 1993. She found companionship again later in life and married Jim Jameson in 2003. They were together until his passing in 2007.
Although Sue lived a long, full life and was undoubtedly ready for her reunion with those who have gone before her, she was the beloved matriarch of our family and will be greatly missed by those left behind. Sue is survived by her daughter, Debbie Foot (Charles), son Philip Childers (Shelly), sister Anne Sharp (Bobby), granddaughter Kim Key, granddaughter Tracie Jones (Matt), grandson Allen Childers (Taylor), grandson Reese Childers, great-granddaughters Kalin Copeland (Tyler), Kendall Key (Matthew), Charley Jones, CC Childers and Kelsey Hughes (Lane), great-grandsons Tucker Jones and Shepard Childers, great-great granddaughter Halle Hughes, niece Melody Morgan (Jerry) and nephews Steve Sharp (Mary), Mike Sharp (Leanne). Sue is preceded in death by her parents, Dutch and Wanda Talbert, husband Norman Childers, husband Jim Jameson, and nephew David Sharp.
The family would also like to recognize a remarkable group of ladies who devoted many hours of care and friendship to Sue during her last few years. They will always be considered family, and we will forever be grateful for all they have done. To Chantay, Terri, Lois, Arlean, LaRonda, and Ella, the words thank you will never be enough to convey how we feel about you and the blessing you all have been to our family.
Visitation will be held at Maple Avenue Baptist Church in Smackover on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 12:30 pm, followed by a funeral service at 1:30 pm. Graveside services will be held immediately following the funeral at Smackover Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arkansas Hospice Foundation. Their support to Sue and her family in her last few weeks of life was invaluable.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Jameson family.
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