Frances Sue Fitzgerald was born in Gretna, Virginia on March 15, 1931 and passed away in Greensboro, North Carolina on August 30, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Edmond and Winnie Fitzgerald, and was predeceased by brother Ed Fitzgerald III, sister Gertrude Willman, brother-in-law William C. Smith, Jr. and nephew Gregory Fitzgerald Smith.
Sue leaves behind her joy and love for a sister, Winnie F. Smith and a sister-in-law, Emily Fitzgerald. She leaves the joy she has had with three nieces and nephews, nine great-nieces and nephews, and eight great-great nieces and nephews:
• Ann and Kent Brown – greats Robert and Karen Brown and great-greats Sarah and Evan; greats William and Erin Brown and great-greats Luke, Seth, and Caleb.
• Ed IV and Angela Fitzgerald – greats Victoria Fitzgerald and Eddy Fitzgerald V.
• Winnie and Tom Leiendecker - greats Katie Leiendecker and David Kelly; greats Emily and Brad Verbosky and great-great Winnie; greats Sam Leiendecker and Danika Rockney.
• Great Lindsay Sims and great-greats Savannah and Riley; greats Winnie Renee Smith and Brad Love.
Sue graduated from Meredith College in 1952, and Andover Newton Theological School in 1959. She ministered and served with joy in five places: Blacksburg, Virginia (1952-1953) (teaching weekday religious education at Blacksburg Elementary School); First Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Virginia (1953-1956); Franklin Baptist Church, Franklin, Virginia (1959-1963); Mars Hill Baptist Church (1963-1973) and Mars Hill College (1973-1993), Mars Hill, North Carolina. From 1993 to 2011 she ministered in Madison County in varied ways: Hospice Chaplain, “Neighbors in Need” county wide program helping needy people, interim pastor, and helping throughout the county in many other ways.
While on staff at Mars Hill Baptist Church, Sue did every type of ministry including interim minister. She felt that because all members are ministers, she should not seek ordination. However, the church in 1973 thought otherwise, and they asked if they could ordain her. She felt led to accept.
The last years of her life were spent in retirement and care facilities in Winston-Salem and Greensboro, North Carolina. Wherever she lived, Sue was creative and found great joy in her ministry.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 14 at First Baptist Church of Gretna, Virginia.
The family suggests donations in Sue’s memory to something that honors Sue’s legacy or your connection with her.
