Sue Johnson Roark

Born in 1931, Sue was raised in the historic mill village of Bemis, Tennessee. With the exception of living six years in Malesus, TN, Sue spent her whole life in her beloved Bemis, where she graduated from J.B. Young High School.

After high school, Sue worked at Central Service in Jackson, TN, until she married Joe Roark and they started a family. Sue was always working to help others. Girl Scout Leader and Substitute Teacher (for the school system) were just two of her titles, and she provided ongoing help with numerous projects at Malesus United Methodist Church for many years. Sue was a member of the South Madison County Jayceettes, and a Charter and dedicated member and officer of the Bemis Historical Society. She served as a volunteer at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital for 20 years.

When her youngest son, Andy, joined the Memphis Blues Drum & Bugle Corps, Sue volunteered as a cook for the group and traveled with them to many states and Canada. Those times remained some of her fondest memories.

The years brought other opportunities for Sue. When the Bemis Post Office was in danger of being closed, she made sure petitions were signed and protested with others in front of the building (landing her picture in the newspaper). The post office remains open to this day. When the Olympic torch came through Jackson, Sue was there and got to hold it.

One of Sue’s biggest adventures happened in her 80’s. She flew for the first time – all the way to Belgium! She was able to see where her brother H.C. Johnson’s plane went down during WWII, and met the brave woman who helped to smuggle him out of German-occupied Belgium and put him on a 54-day trek back to England and the U.S. Sue also corresponded for many years with another family in Belgium who hid her brother on his journey home.

Those who knew Sue will remember her best for her quick wit, kindness to others and commitment to family. She will be best remembered as a beloved wife and mother.

Sue was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Joe Roark; son Joseph Allen (Gina); parents Floyd Wellington Johnson and Martha Ivar Wilson Johnson of Bemis, TN; brothers Floyd (Helen), H.C., David; and sisters Alma Kate Rush (J.L.), Shirley Watlington (John) and Vivian Rogers. She is survived by her daughter Anita Ruth (Michael), son David Andrew, sister Joann Ragan Longmire, three step-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The Roark family would like to express thanks to all who cared for Sue at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and West Tennessee Post Acute during the last months of her life. They especially thank the UT team of doctors who worked tirelessly to treat every illness that developed and provided great support and compassion for the family as well as their patient.

Visitation with the family will be at George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home South on Monday, October 20, from 1-3PM. A private interment for family will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Bemis Historical Society, P.O. Box 9266, Jackson, TN 38314-9266, or to a charity of your choosing.