Born in Milton, Illinois, May 13, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Charles Abner Ransom and Gladys Zimmerman Ransom.
Sue spent her life serving God and people in various roles. She was a pastor’s wife for 16 years as her husband led churches in Ohio, Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana. She was on the pioneering team of Lynchburg Baptist College starting in 1972, serving as one of the first receptionists, and mentoring many of the first students.
Her primary life ministry started in 1970 when she learned sign language and began giving the gospel to deaf people. She led this ministry at Thomas Road Baptist Church for many years. She became known as “the lady in the circle” as she interpreted on the Old-Time Gospel Hour for 17 years. Dr. Falwell once commented that she had “given the gospel to more deaf people than any person in history”.
Sue focused on her role as an educator by launching the deaf departments at Liberty and Lynchburg Christian Academy, training interpreters and guiding the deaf students. She served as president for the Virginia Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. She spent many years teaching the Bible to women in LU classes and church conferences.
Sue is survived by her son, Matthew L. Willmington and his wife Christine of Lynchburg; three grandchildren, Nathan P. Willmington, Carissa Hassett and her husband Aaron, and Abigail Willmington.
A service celebrating her life and faith will be conducted at 11:00 am Thursday, October 17, 2024, in the Pate Chapel at Thomas Road Baptist Church with Pastor Jonathan Falwell officiating.
The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.
Interment will be private at the Founder’s Memorial at Liberty University.
Because of Sue's significant contributions to the Deaf Ministry, the family requests those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Silent Word ministries, www.silentword.org/give/legacy/ or to Gideon’s International P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090, gideons.org/donate.
