Martha Sue Belcher

Born in Franklin County to the late Howard and Marie Holcomb, Susie’s life was anything but ordinary. After graduating high school, she spent a year at William & Mary before her heart (and perhaps her appetite for home cooking) called her back to Roanoke. There, she attended National Business College, where she earned not just a degree but also the lifelong affection of a Henry County boy named Jim Belcher – the same boy who once pulled her pigtails from behind her pew at Oak Level Baptist Church.

Susie and Jim married in 1960 and started their great adventure together in Martinsville.

With Jim at Gravely Furniture and Susie growing their family, life led them to Winston-Salem, Lynchburg, Statesville, and Southern Pines, before her final destination back to Martinsville. Susie’s hands and heart stayed full raising three rambunctious boys – and later the daughter she’d always hoped for. If you ever saw her tongue stick out when she was mad, you knew it was time to clear the room! Together, she and Jim made sure their kids saw plenty of Virginia’s beauty through camping trips, family adventures, and yearly pilgrimages to Myrtle Beach.

Once her children left the nest, Susie turned her boundless energy to helping others – working at Peebles department store, the kidney dialysis center, and finally the Virginia Museum of Natural History. After Jim’s passing, Susie found a wonderful community at King’s Grant, where she made dear friends, played endless hands of bridge, and enjoyed sweet fellowship (and the occasional lunch at Hugo’s or Subway) with her Broad Street Christian Church family.

She leaves behind four beloved children: Rick Belcher (#1) (Dana) of Huntersville, NC, with grandchildren Carolyn (Michael), Wallis (Parker), and Stuart, great grandchildren Hayes and Sanford; Chris Belcher (#2) of Chapel Hill, NC; Mark Belcher (#3) (Melissa) of Charlotte, NC, with grandchildren Mason (Kelly) and Grace; and Ginny Devine (#4) (Trevor) of Statesville, NC, with grandchildren Jack and Zoe She is also survived by her brother David Holcomb (Sally) and sister-in-law Janis Holcomb. She was preceded in death by her brother Wesley Holcomb.

In lieu of flowers, Susie would love nothing more than for donations to be made to Broad Street Christian Church – a place that meant so much to her.

The family would also like to thank Lillie Wilson, Donna Pilson, Mountain Valley Hospice, and Kings Grant staff for the compassionate care they gave their mom.

A celebration of Susie’s life will be held at Broad Street Christian Church on Saturday, August 23rd, at 1pm, with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall. Please bring your best Susie stories and help us celebrate this wonderful life.