Suzanne Kordes

Suzanne "Sue" Wellpott was born 23 Sep 1922 in Los Angeles County, California. Her mother was Viola May "Bessie" Underwood of San Antonio, Texas. Through her mother's family, she was related to many colorful and historic Texans, including Richard Texas McCoy, a Texas Ranger; Jesse McCoy, who fought and lost his life at the Alamo during Texas' fight for independence from Mexico; and Carolyn Blanche McGarity, a silent screen star from San Antonio.

Her father was Walter William Wellpott of California who met and married Viola in San Antonio, Texas. They then moved to the San Diego area of California where Walter worked in the home-building boom of the 1920s.

Sue grew up in California with some time spent in Beaumont, Texas where her uncle and many cousins lived. This was during the depression and because of oil, Texas was doing well during that time. However, for Sue, California was always home.

Sue's real passion was in becoming a professional dancer on stage. She had talent and won many awards in ballroom dance contests in California.

In the 1940’s and early 1950’s, Sue was the hostess, cashier and general manager for The Brown Derby in Hollywood. She lived in an apartment on Franklin Street during those years. She was given an original Brown Derby Cookbook, which she cherished and used almost daily to prepare wonderful meals throughout the rest of her life.

Sue then took a position as a private secretary for 3M in Los Angeles, and doing what she loved most – dancing – during her off hours. In that world of ballroom competitions and dance teams, she married her dance partner, Robert Peters, on 20 Dec 1956 to whom she was married for many years. Robert later died of cancer.

Sue also battled cancer three times and won each time over the disease that killed both her mother and father.

On 14 Jan 1984, Sue married Ralph W. Kordes. Together they became a well-known team in the Southern California dance world. They turned their home into a place to hold large parties for the dancers and friends they knew. Their 2,000 square foot ballroom pavilion became a place to teach dancing and indulge their shared passion.

Sue was feisty, determined, energetic and loved dancing, people, parties and lots of champagne. Sue danced through life radiating confidence and grace. So, may she dance forever on the golden ballroom floors of heaven.

Sue is survived by her husband Ralph and his children; Gregory (Elizabeth), Kevin and Elena Borchardt (Bruce) and two cousins, Ted Cowart of Texas and Bill Tex Cowart of Florida.

Services will be held Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at Acheson & Graham Chapel, 7944 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA. Internment will be at Riverside National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Kenneth Norris, Jr. Comprehensive Cancer Center at USC.