Barbara Sue Gathings Rappe

Services are private.

Born September 19, 1936, in Pageland South Carolina, Sue was the youngest of 13 children born to James Morris and Minnie Belle Smith Gathings. She grew up on a farm and graduated from Pageland Central High School. She also graduated from Richardson Beauty College in Charlotte. Sue was a beautiful woman and worked at Mrs. Harney’s Beauty Salon in Myers Park for many years. She also worked in women’s clothing sales with her husband, John.

Sue met Johnny Rappe from Bennettsville, South Carolina, a football star, and fell in love. John was drafted and sent to Korea. She moved to Charlotte to pursue cosmetology school and began her career at Harney’s Hair Salon. Sue loved to paint and many paintings included her home place in Pageland and outdoor scenes. She also had a passion for gardening and loved spending time with her plants and in her yard.

Sue was a former member of First Baptist Church in Pageland, South Carolina and longtime member of St. John’s Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In addition to her parents and 12 siblings, Sue was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, John H. Rappe, Jr.

Surviving are her son, John “Randy” Rappe and wife, Jane, of Charlotte, North Carolina; daughters, Rebecca Pearson Rappe of Charlotte, North Carolina, Angela Sue Bradshaw and husband, Damon, of McCall, Idaho and Amanda Marie Rappe of Charlotte, North Carolina; grandchildren, Sarah Edgemon and husband, Andy, Jessica Canaan and husband, Logan, Chase Rappe, Dalton Bradshaw and Copeland Bradshaw; and great-grandson, Luke Edgemon.

Memorials in Sue’s honor can be sent to St. John’s Baptist Church, Endowment Fund, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte North Carolina 28204 or Novant Health Hospice, 324 N. McDowell Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, North Carolina 28204.

The family offers their most sincere appreciation to the Novant Health Matthews Medical Center nursing staff, and the entire team of doctors from Novant and Charlotte Gastro and the 4th Floor staff for the care they provided for Sue. They also wish to thank the Hospice Care Team 3rd Floor and Pastor Flynn for the care and love given to Sue in making her transition to heaven peaceful.