Susie Mae Arnold

On Thursday March 18th 2021, Susie "Sue" Arnold, loving wife, sister and beloved mother and grandmother passed away in Memphis Tennessee at the age of 89, from complications after suffering a stroke on Feb. 24th 2021. She was born in Suffolk Virginia in 1932 to Charles and Clarine Morgan. Sue was the baby of 8 siblings, 6 brothers and 1 sister. Sue had been blessed with the voice of an angel and was voted most likely to become an opera star, singing in the Woodrow Wilson high school Sextet and mixed choir. Sue married twice in her life. The first marriage was soon out of high school which produced a son named Michael Jay in 1953. By 1962 she found herself divorced with a young son to raise, when she met and married the love of her life, military man, John D. Arnold in June of 1963. John had 3 children with ex-wife, making Sue a stepmother to Robin, Suzanne and Patrick. Her new husband John adopted young Michael as his own. The travel bug hit her after new husband John offered her either a diamond ring or a trip anywhere in the world as a wedding present. Her adventurous spirit lead them to a European honeymoon in Austria and Switzerland, where because of the language barrier they found out thru sign language that they were expecting a baby. The following year their daughter Amy Kathleen was born in 1964.

A voracious reader, Sue had a lifelong love of reading that resulted in her becoming a librarian early on. Life as a military family always has it challenges, long absences and new places. In 1968, Sue was not only raising two young children, working full time, running a household, but helping to care for a husband who had been seriously injured in a plane accident. John had a Master’s degree at the time. Sue was told her husband would most likely have major brain damage and that she’d have to help re-educate him in everyday simple tasks. With never wavering herculean strength, she steeled herself for a future of uncertainty. By the Grace of God and her loving care, John made a full recovery. Deciding to settle in Millington TN to raise the family, Sue went to work for the Civil Service, where she was the supervisor for NAS Word Processing Center and Secretary to the Admiral, where she retired after 30+ years of service. After retiring and during their life together they traveled widely to destinations such as Europe, England, Austria, Hawaii, French Morocco, Casablanca, the Caribbean islands, Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, Sapporo Japan for the Ice Festival, Bob sledding in Upper New York and all over the continental United States.

She was a proud member of several local and national groups including Al Chymia Shrine Temple, Legion Belles, honorary Kentucky Colonel, National Sojourners, Camp Followers and Toastmasters. Sue held positions as secretary and president of several groups. Sue proudly served for 25 years in Eastern Star Millington Chapter. Serving in varied positions including Worthy Matron and as Eastern Star Grand Representative to Minnesota, where she was revered for her graceful floor work. She will be remembered for her hours of charity work with Eastern Star and Shrine Burned and Crippled Children Hospitals. She was a member of the Waypoint Baptist Church, Young in Heart group, where she enjoyed fellowship and fieldtrips..

Sue enjoyed art in all its forms from knitting and crocheting, to tole painting and creative writing. One of her biggest passions was sewing. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing professional quality renaissance costumes for family and friends as well as, Heroes of 76 replica military uniforms. Sue was revered and often requested to perform for her ability to touchingly recite lengthy patriotic poems and prose from memory. She will be most remembered for her strength in the face of adversity, physical grace, quick wit, infectious smile and loving heart.

Sue was preceded in death by husband John D. Arnold, her parents and 6 of her siblings. Sue leaves behind her son Michael J. Arnold and daughter Amy K. Settle, son in law Chip Settle, grandson Nicholas Settle, brother Lewis Morgan and several nieces and nephews in Va., along with 5 grandchildren, 8 Great grandchildren and 7 great-great grand children by marriage. Services to be held at Munford Funeral Home, Millington Chapel at 7450 Raleigh Millington Rd. Millington, TN on Wednesday March 24th. Visitation is from 5-8pm. Eastern Star ceremony at 7pm. She will then travel to Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home in Fayetteville West Virginia to be buried alongside her husband of 50 years in the Settle Family Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Shriner’s Hospital for Burned and Crippled Children.