Susan Elizabeth Hanna

Susan Elizabeth Murphy Hanna age 73, wife of Rolfe Millar Hanna, passed away on June 30, 2025, at River Park Senior Living in Little River, SC. Susan was born November 11, 1946, in Columbia, SC to the late John J. Murphy, Jr. and Willie Mae Own Murphy.

Raised in Columbia, she graduated from A.C. Flora High School in 1965. Susan attended the University of South Carolina and then landed a wonderful job with Delta Airlines in Columbia. She thoroughly enjoyed her career with Delta and all the perks.

Susan is survived by her husband Rolfe of 31 years. They lived most of their lives in Atlanta, Georgis and retired to Little River. She is survived by a daughter, Susannah Trotter Staples (Rick) of Chesapeake, VA, three grandchildren: Madison Staples Schlegel (Kellen), Brayden Staples and Collen Staples. Susan is also survived by a sister-in-law, Sara Stuckey Murphy of Charleston, SC. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, John J. Murphy, III.

At an early age, Susan started riding horses at Webb’s Riding Academy in Forest Acres, Columbia, SC. Her Uncle Hughes Webb, Sr., owned the school and taught Susan how to ride and compete. She immediately fell in love with competing in horse shows and won several competitions throughout the state. As an adult, she first competed in Arabian horse shows and won several US Championships, World Championships and Canadian Championships. Susan then changed to riding in Saddlebred competitions and won The Royal National Championship. In the last couple of years, she was unable to ride horses, but she and her husband still had horses in training at Tammy Devore Stables in Sonora, KY. Susan and Rolfe had a love for traveling and many trips around the world.

The family is grateful and blessed that Susan was loved and cared for not only by her husband, Rolfe, but also by Shanna Thompson, her caregiver and dear friend.