Susan Hill Lunan

Susan Hill Lunan, 73, of Kingsport, TN, passed away on January 21, 2026. Born on June 17, 1952, in Kingsport, TN, Sue was a devoted wife, loving mother, steadfast supporter of her family, and a woman whose adventurous spirit blossomed through a remarkable life shared with her husband.

Sue was preceded in death by her father, John Shields Hill; her mother, Leone Duncan Hill; and her beloved husband, Larry Lunan. She is survived by her son, John Lunan (Anna) of Charlotte, NC; and her daughters, Krista Lunan (Ty Bowman) of Mount Carmel, TN, and Julie Lunan of Nashville, TN. Additionally, she is survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved her dearly. Sue’s family was the heart of her world, and she cherished every moment spent nurturing and supporting them.

Sue graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1970, going on to attend college at University of Tennessee where she obtained an associate’s degree. She eventually became an executive assistant at Arcata Book Group in Kingsport. It was here that she met the man who would become the love of her life and husband, Larry Lunan. What began as a professional relationship eventually turned personal – though Sue initially did not care for the man she found crude and much too fond of himself. But the initial friction gave way to bond that forged a lasting marriage, which allowed the two to endure every trial that came their way.

Sue and Larry were married on January 9, 1982, in Boone, North Carolina, and went on to build a resilient family filled with love. Sue experienced a whole new world when she met Larry, awakening an adventuresome spirit that gave her a lifelong love for traveling and the finer things in life. Their marriage was marked by inseparable closeness—especially after Larry began working from home as an entrepreneur—creating a deep bond that grew stronger through every hardship. Sue and Larry eventually moved from Tennessee to Newport Beach, California, where their son John was born. They enjoyed life on the coast for over a decade, eventually returning to Kingsport, TN where they spent the rest of their days.

She supported her husband’s entrepreneurial endeavors tirelessly—whether serving as an employee, providing seed money from her personal savings, or simply holding the family steady through the pressures and uncertainties of building businesses. Sue also supported her family by working as a manager at Pappagallo’s, a women’s fashion boutique, and Proffitt’s, which allowed her to work in retail – an industry that she loved. Her devotion and loyalty were unwavering; Sue was willing to take on any role to support her family, embracing each one with the same love and resolve that defined her.

Sue’s passions brought joy and color to her days. She had an affection for animals of all kinds, and she filled her home with both dogs and cats and eventually raised chickens and ducks in a coup behind the house. She deeply loved horses, and she took pride in both riding and having them shown. She beamed at the ribbons her stable earned. Music filled her life, including the classic standards she shared with Larry (Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole), the country music (Reba McEntire and Tim McGraw) that any Tennessee girl would grow up loving, and all forms of contemporary popular music (Kelly Clarkson and Pink). She delighted in shopping for anything from unique knick-knacks to fine apparel, and window shopping never lost its thrill between purchases. Later in life, she developed an amusing fondness for online games like Hearts and “match three” puzzle games (e.g., Candy Crush), often filling her mornings and afternoons with numerous rounds of the games she loved. Above all, Sue was a loving mother who made her children feel deeply cherished and supported, providing the perfect complement to Larry’s tough-but-loving approach. Her warmth, encouragement, and quiet strength created a home where love was never in short supply, even amid life’s ups and downs.

Susan Hill Lunan will be remembered for her unwavering devotion, endearing quirks, and her quiet resilience in the face of every challenge. She lived a full life rich with family, and she proved to be the foundation that held her family together. To truly understand the depth of her love and the strength she brought to those around her, one would have to walk the path she traveled beside her husband and children. Sue will be deeply missed but remembered with immense love and gratitude by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

The family will receive friends Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 6:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at East Lawn Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 P.M. with Pastor Richard Isaacs officiating. Interment will be private in East Lawn Memorial Park's Garden of the Good Shepherd.

East Lawn Funeral Home and East Lawn Memorial Park are honored to serve the family of Mrs. Susan Hill Lunan.