Susan Wallace Means

Susan Wallace Means, 69, died on November 12, 2020, in Richmond, Virginia, following a brave battle with pneumonia. As she left this Earth to be welcomed into the glory of Heaven, she was surrounded by those who loved her most: her husband of 50 years, William C. “Chuck” Means; and her adoring children, Charles “Chad” W. Means (Kimberly), and Lindsay M. Pickral (George). Susie is also survived by her sister, Anne W. Sharp; grandchildren, Charlotte, Van, Evie, June, and Rowan; nieces and nephews; and countless friends. She was predeceased by her parents, C. Brook Wallace, Jr. and Grace Woodward Wallace; her granddaughter, Laura Grace Pickral; and her cherished dog, Abby. Born in Durham, North Carolina, Susie grew up in Charlotte and graduated from East Mecklenburg High School in 1968 and Central Piedmont Community College in 1970. She met Chuck, the love of her life, shortly before her high school graduation, and they were married in 1970. They moved to Clemson, South Carolina, for Chuck’s education, and Susie remained a lifelong avid and sometimes loud Clemson Tigers fan. The entire family was blessed to return this past summer to Clemson and Lake Hartwell for a memorable weeklong 50th wedding anniversary celebration. After leaving Clemson, Chuck and Susie returned to Charlotte for several years, where Chad and Lindsay were born, and then moved to Midlothian, Virginia, in 1986. They lived in the Queensmill neighborhood for many fun-filled years, where Susie was active in neighborhood activities, especially the Queensmill Quackers swim team. A devoted mother, Susie took a job in 1989 at Evergreen Elementary School to be close to her young children. She worked as a secretary in the main office until 2002, where she made dear friends whom she stayed in close touch with, especially for monthly dinners, throughout her life. Evergreen staff, parents, and children will remember her beautiful smile and warm personality that greeted them upon entering the school. Following her retirement, Susie enjoyed playing golf with family and friends at the Highlands Golf Club. Most memorably, in September of 2006 she made two holes-in-one within eight days. Susie played with the Highlands Ladies Golf Association and made wonderful friends. Together they took many fun girls trips, including to Nashville, New York, and Pinehurst, where they shared lots of laughs and stirred up only a little trouble. Susie loved the beach and, following Chuck’s retirement, the two traveled frequently to their home in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, where they loved to play golf, eat seafood, and relax with friends. Susie also loved spending time at Sunset Beach with her beloved sister, Anne, and at Anne’s home in Ohio, reminiscing about their childhood. The arrival of Susie’s six grandchildren lit up her life. She loved to visit with and keep them, rarely telling them “no”—a special entitlement of grandmothers everywhere—and showering them with hugs, kisses, snuggles, Happy Meals, and lots of presents. No doubt her reunion in Heaven with her precious Laura Grace was immeasurably joyous. A private funeral service will be held on Monday, November 23rd. A video of the service and a photo slideshow will be available on Susie’s 70th birthday, Tuesday, November 24th, at 1 p.m. on the Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeI_NfU8egtZT-n3kI5s4mg. Donations may be made to Noah’s Children, a pediatric compassionate care organization that served the family during Laura Grace’s lifetime, at www.noahschildren.org; or to the Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church Children’s Ministry, which Susie enjoyed serving for many years as a Sunday School teacher, at www.mtpisgahva.org/about-us/support/. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4