Sue Ann Morrison, age 86, of Birmingham, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2024. A celebration of life will be held at on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 11:00 a.m at Cathedral Church of The Advent, 2017 6th Ave. No., Birmingham, AL 35203.
Sue was born in Pensacola, Florida, on July 5, 1938. She grew up as a proud “Navy brat,” spending her early years moving around the country until her father retired. Once her family settled in Alabama, Sue attended Dothan High School, where she was most proud of her baton & fire baton twirling – a hobby that she, despite her enthusiasm, couldn’t quite convinced her daughter or grandchildren to adopt.
After high school, Sue attended the Birmingham Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, later earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Samford University. On April 9, 1960, she met the love of her life, Bill, at a supper club dinner hosted by her nursing school classmate. On May 1, 1961, Bill and Sue married in Dothan. Sue, diligent in her daily journaling, wrote, “Today was the most important day in my life, for I became Mrs. William Lee Morrison.”
When Bill was later drafted by the Army, Sue returned to Dothan to work as a nurse. Sue was able to visit him overseas during his two-year tour in Tokyo, Japan – one of her most fond memories. On March 14, 1963, Sue landed in Japan, writing, “Bill was waiting. Seeing him again was the most wonderful thing in the world.” When Bill returned, the pair relocated to Auburn where Bill continued pursuing his Engineering degree while Sue began work in the Tuskegee VA Hospital. Following Bill’s graduation, Sue transferred to UAB to continue work with the VA while Bill took a job at Rust Engineering. Soon after, on January 5, 1966, Sue gave birth to their daughter, Virginia.
Sue cherished every minute of her 30-year career with the VA. Those who worked alongside her knew her as a force to be reckoned with. Her unwavering passion and fearless leadership garnered her the nickname “The Dragon Lady” amongst colleagues, which she (not-so-) secretly loved.
Once retired, Sue took on her favorite full-time job of all – “Granny.” In the eyes of her four grandchildren, she was the most present, fun, hands-on grandmother one could wish for. She loved her grandchildren fiercely and, as she’d proudly admit, spoiled them rotten. In retirement, Sue spent as much time with family and friends as she could, enjoying European adventures, Auburn football games, beach vacations and everything in between. She annually volunteered as a “Back Stage Mom” for the Miss Alabama Pageant, ardently tending to contestants as they prepared for and participated in pageants each Spring.
But for those who knew Sue well, it’s no secret that the magic of Christmas was her biggest passion of all. Sue’s Christmas tree still stands tall and proud in her living room year-round as she refused to let anyone take it down (even as it gradually started to look more like Mount Crumpet and less like a Christmas Tree). She taught her grandchildren not only to believe in the magic of the Christmas season, but the delight and beauty in each day.
To us, her family, she was Granny - our rock, our compass, the most loving person in our world. She was the creator of the magic. Her absence will be felt until we meet again, but she lives in our hearts each day.
She is preceded in death by her father: Lewie Mark Vickers, Sr; her mother: Mattie Virginia Vickers; and her brother, Lewie Mark Vickers, Jr. and her sister “Jocky“ Jocklyn Vickers.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, William L Morrison; her daughter Virginia Bolton (Jim): her 4 grandchildren; Kala Bolton, Alec Bolton, Anna Bolton, Virginia Collins (Shelby) and many other family and friends.
If you are so inclined, in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Samford University’s Ida V Moffet Scholarship for Nursing Fund– link below
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