Susan Sallee Valentine

Susan Jean Legge Sallee Valentine, beloved mother of Donald Barrett Sallee II, of Smyrna, Georgia; and Robert Carpenter, of Dania Beach, Florida; passed away peacefully on October 19, 2025; with her son, Barrett, by her side.

Susan was born in Glenridge, New Jersey, in 1946 to Charles Edger and Ellenor Barter Legge. Her mother died when she was 6 years old, and she moved to Jacksonville, Florida, with her father and sister when she was 8. She spent her formative years living in Atlantic Beach, Florida, attending Atlantic Beach Elementary School and Fletcher High School.

Susan’s education and determination began early in life as she assumed household responsibility for her family. She was a dedicated employee of Prudential Life Insurance Co., following in her father’s footsteps. She later spent time working with Delta Airlines as a reservations agent. It was an exciting one as she helped people realize their dreams as world travelers.

Susan was a devoted mother to Barrett, her pride and joy. Her guidance through the best of times and the rockiest of roads was a testament to her character, leadership, kindness and unique ability to support him as he grew into a man, husband and father. The health challenges that both of them faced when he was born more than one month premature is a reflection of the strength that she lived with throughout her life.

Susan lived life to the fullest. Whether it be taking a leap of faith providing support for her first husband, Don Sallee, in the founding of Invesco Capital Management; hopping out of a station wagon in Ponte Vedra, Florida, and dancing in the middle of A1A to Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody;” joining the Bus’N Bikers motorcycle and motorcoach club and travelling around the country with her second husband, Johnny Valentine; Susan always did things “her way.” Even in her final days, she spoke of her desire to host dinner parties with her friends in Marietta.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Ellenor Legge. She is survived by her sons Donald Barrett Sallee II and Robert Carpenter, daughter-in-law Nancy Sallee, grandchildren Donald Barrett Sallee III (Tripp) and Samantha Jean Sallee; daughter-in-law Sharon Carpenter, sister Eileen Theis; and niece Amy Hunt.

In lieu of flowers, Susan and the family request that all donations be made to Bosley’s Place - a rescue orphanage for underage puppies in memory of Susan Sallee Valentine. Information about Bosley’s Place can be found by calling (404) 565-4025, emailing the center at [email protected] or by visiting its donations website at https://bosleysplace.com/howtohelp.html. You can also donate via PayPal at paypal.me/BosleysPlace, Venmo: @BosleysPlace or by check to the office at 3485 South Cobb Drive, Smyrna, Georgia 30080.