Jimmie Sue McKeever

Jimmie Sue Greer was born in Jackson, Mississippi on May 8, 1927 to James and Sudie Greer of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It was in Hattiesburg where Sue and her younger sister, Mary Ann Greer, were raised.

Sue shared many stories over the span of her 94 years of life, often reminiscing about her early childhood days in their family home on Walnut Street and of her passion to venture out and experience the world beyond her small town. As Sue grew up, her dream to travel the world also grew. So, it was no surprise that she set out on her own as a young woman to travel throughout the United States. Eventually, she settled in along Mississippi’s gulf coast. It was there, while working on an Air Force base, that she met the love of her life, Air Force airman Raymond “Buck” McKeever of Forsyth, Montana. On February 18, 1956 they married.

Soon after Ray’s service commitment with the Air Force was completed, the couple moved northwest to Missoula, Montana. There, they started a family with the birth of son, Mark Patrick. Next arrived second son, Joseph Neal. Eventually, Sue and Ray landed in Memphis, Tennessee, where Ray would attend and ultimately graduate from the University of Tennessee – College of Pharmacy. During that time, their third son, John Andrew was born.

Sue and Ray spent the 1960’s and 1970’s building their life together. They saved for and bought a home. Ray had a successful career in pharmacy with Walgreens. Sue was a busy housewife and mom to three growing boys and their two basset hounds.

One could say there were two very different parts to Sue’s adult life. In 1977, Sue suffered the tragic loss of her husband, Ray. After Ray’s passing, Sue showed an independence and determination that would define the remainder of her life. She participated in adult education training and re-entered the work force, taking a position with the Resident Office in Charge of Construction (ROICC) at the Naval Air Station in Millington, Tennessee. During her time with ROICC, she again suffered a heartbreaking loss with the unexpected passing of her second son, Joe in 1990.

Sue retired from ROICC in 1996 after accumulating 32 years in Federal Civil Service. It was in this second, independent period of her life that she began to travel again, this time taking trips around the United States and around the world with her friends. She collected mementos and took beautiful pictures at every stop to mark her adventures. She also collected glass paper weights from all over the world, amassing an impressive collection, which she proudly displayed in her home.

Sue was a proud member of the Raleigh Chicks, her exercise and social group for close to 30 years. She would often tell her family that the women she befriended in her exercise classes over the years were some of her very best friends, and “…the finest women I have ever know.”

Sue was a wonderful, loving and nurturing grandmother to her four grandchildren, always making time for them as they grew up. From sporting events, to school events and more, “Mamaw” was always there for them. By example, Sue taught them to be free spirits, independent thinkers and to follow their dreams. She modeled the way for them. She cared about family and worked very hard after her husband’s death to make sure, despite all the ups and downs that life threw at her, the family stayed together. She was, to quote her, “…one tough old broad.”

Sue McKeever was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond and son, Joe. She was 94 years old when she passed away on November 12, 2021. She is survived by her sons: Mark (Tracey) of Gulf Shores Alabama, and John (Eileen) of Germantown, Tennessee. She is also survived by her four grandchildren: Emily (Brad) Shauf and their children, Bennett, Gracie, Conner and Nolan, as well as Taylor (Thomas) Harding of Denver, Colorado, Jordan of Chicago, Illinois and Andrew of Denver, Colorado.

Lord, how we will miss her. Yep! Yep! Yep!

A visitation for Jimmie will be held Thursday, January 13, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133, followed by a memorial service at 10:00 AM.

In remembrance of Sue McKeever’s life, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider charitable donations be made in her honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children.

https://www.stjude.org/

https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the family.