THOMASVILLE – Gloria “Sue“ Harris Hunter, former Davidson County Commissioner and former Thomasville City Councilwoman, died on February 24, 2023, at the age of 86. She was born in Elkins, WV, on March 6, 1936, to John Quincy Harris and Marie Sizemore Harris.
Sue grew up in Webster Springs, WV, in the family home located along the Elk River surrounded by mountains. She attended grade school in Parcoal and then Webster Springs High School, where she played half-court basketball and proudly served as a majorette. She attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Buckhannon, WV, and worked at hospitals in Richwood, WV, and Cleveland, OH, where she cross-matched blood for some of the country’s first open heart surgeries. In 1959, she married her high school sweetheart, Dr. James E. Hunter, and they lived together in Cleveland, OH, Las Vegas, NV, and Chapel Hill, NC, before moving to Thomasville, NC, in 1968. Sue quickly adopted Thomasville as her hometown and volunteered with various organizations that aimed to help the Chair City showcase its best qualities. She volunteered with PACE and City Beautification for many years with the goal of helping the city’s outward appearance match the beauty, creativity, and hospitality of its citizens.
In 1991, Sue was asked to fill an unexpired seat on the Davidson County Board of Commissioners and was subsequently elected to serve a new term in 1992. Thereafter, she was elected to Thomasville City Council, continuing to find ways to bolster Thomasville and serve its citizens.
Sue co-founded and co-owned the Thomasville Emporium and Side Street Cafe with her sister, Shirley Byrnes, and also partnered to convert an old downtown building into the 12 W. Main event center. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder, deacon, youth fellowship advisor, and member of the Refugee Resettlement Committee. Actively supportive in her children’s lives, she volunteered and led Westchester Academy’s Parent Association and athletic Booster Club. She was also a former board member of the NC Shakespeare Festival and Lexington State Bank. Sue brought a can-do spirit and positive energy to all that she did, while also treasuring time to rejuvenate at her mountain home in Pocahontas County, WV, with friends, family, and ice cream on the front porch.
Sue is survived by her loving and devoted children – her son and caregiver, Rob Hunter, daughter Jill Hunter Dale (Bruce) of Cary, NC, “adopted son” Olli-Pekka Laitila (Paula) of Helsinki, Finland; grandson Zachary Dale of Greenville, NC; bonus grandchildren Jennalee Meck and Durham Meck; loyal Goldendoodle Daisy; and younger sisters Shirley Byrnes (Tom) of Thomasville, Kathi Der (Mike) of Pennsboro, WV, Terri Davis (Chuck) of East Prairie, MO; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and forever love “Jim,” and brother David Harris.
A funeral service will be held at Memorial United Methodist Church of Thomasville, 101 Randolph Street, Thomasville, NC 27360, on Friday, March 3, 2023 at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Thomasville City Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Sechrest-Davis of Thomasville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 21 Randolph St., Thomasville, NC 27360; or PACE, PO Box 1485, Thomasville, NC 27360.
The family is under the care of Sechrest-Davis Funerals and Cremations of Thomasville. Online condolences: www.sechrestdavisthomasville.com –select obituaries.
