Dorothy Sue Vail

Sue Sutton Vail died Friday, December 14, 2018 at her residence. Born and raised in Cullowhee, NC where she graduated from Western Carolina University. She taught elementary school in Pinehurst, Charlotte, and Greensboro. She stopped teaching to raise a family, but forever remained a teacher at heart.

She had a wide spectrum of interests: literature, art, music, film, nature, wildlife, poetry, architecture, travel, antiques, good food, shopping, current events, and politics to name a few. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed learning new things her entire life.

Her generosity was as wide-ranging as her interests. She always felt deeply for those less fortunate. Her motto was “Pity, without action, is meaningless” and she often helped others in need. She had a genuine interest in those she encountered and a capacity for compassion and empathy that was enviable. She always had a way of making people feel good about themselves.

She enjoyed conversation on any subject, especially on the back porch at “tea time”. To her, most everything was an opportunity to teach or learn and we are better people for being lucky enough to be close to her. We will miss her terribly.

Sue is survived by her husband of 66 years, Duncan Vail; son, David of Hickory; and daughter, Laura Vail of Hickory; sisters, Joanne Graves and Ruth Cowley; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Davie Coward Sutton and William Earl Sutton; and sister, Edna Earle Sutton.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2018 in the Chapel of Drum Funeral Home in Hickory.

The burial will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Hickory at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the Vail family @ www.drumfh-hickory.com.

The Vail family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home in Hickory.