Susan Galloway

After graduating from First Colonial High School in 1976 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Sue began her career as an administrative assistant at a local law firm. In 1977, a mutual friend from the law office introduced Sue to her future husband. Sue married Paul Austin Galloway on July 4th 1981, overlooking the sunset at their home on Island Lane in Virginia Beach.

Sue continued her career at United Virginia Bank in Norfolk as an administrative assistant. Concurrently, she also worked for the United Virginia Bank LPGA Golf Classic, until 1986 when she took on her new role: mom. Sue became a passionate stay-at-home mom to two beautiful girls. Sue dedicated her time in Virginia Beach to volunteering. She spent countless hours as a classroom volunteer at John B. Dey Elementary and as a troop leader for the local Girl Scouts. Sue never passed up an opportunity to volunteer at her girls’ schools, supporting both her own children and many others.

While her daughters grew older, Sue’s volunteer work continued to focus on children. For many years, Sue volunteered with Girls on the Run at multiple elementary schools across Virginia Beach and Northampton County, Virginia. Sue was also a loyal donor to Compassion International, and sponsored children until those very children reached 18 years old. After moving to Wilmington, North Carolina in 2016, Sue volunteered as a greeter and chaperone at Scott’s Hill Baptist Church and delivered meals as a volunteer with New Hanover County Senior Resource Center’s Meals on Wheels program.

In 2013, Sue completed her Associates Degree of Arts and Sciences at Eastern Shore Community College, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She worked part-time as the Operational Coordinator for Galloway Corporation for more than 12 years, before returning to full-time employment in the public school system, following her passion of working with children. From 2009 - 2018, Sue worked as both a classroom instructional assistant and as an office support associate across multiple school districts in Virginia and North Carolina.

In 2022, Sue leveraged her deep experience in executive administrative support to open her small business, SeaGlass Solutions. As a business owner, Sue quickly became so in-demand that she had a waiting list of clients for her exceptional services.

Sue could do anything she put her mind to: starting her own business, completing her degree, and perfecting her golf and tennis swings. She took on running in mid-life, completing 5ks, half-marathons, and even achieved her goal of running a full marathon. Sue was renowned for her hosting finesse, as she arranged countless fabulous parties for all of her friends and loved ones. Sue filled the home with warmth and grace, cooking beautiful Thanksgiving dinners, baking endless batches of Christmas cookies, and making every holiday and birthday a special occasion. Sue loved to ride her bike, garden, bake, read, and most of all: go to the beach.

Susan Grace Hairston Galloway was born in Norfolk, Virginia to Barbara Anne Sarlo Hairston and William Calvin Hairston and was raised in Virginia Beach, VA. At age 68, Sue passed away peacefully on August 4th, 2026. Sue is survived by her husband, Paul Austin Galloway, two daughters Lauren Austin (Galloway) Gibson (Benjamin Gibson) and Crystal Elizabeth Galloway (James Cook), two step-daughters Tamara Jane (Galloway) Gibbs (Denny Gibbs) and Debra Jean (Galloway) Bowden (Kevin Bowden), two grandchildren Whitson Paul Gibson and Audrey Maya Gibson, her father William Calvin Hairston, and three brothers Robert Patrick Hairston (Virginia Hairston), William Christopher Hairston, and Anthony Dolan Hairston (Doira Hairston.)

Sue’s family would like to extend a sincere thank you to LifeCare in Whiteville, North Carolina for their warmth, devotion, and care to ensure peace and comfort to Sue and her family during her final days.

A celebration of life for Sue will be held later this year in Virginia Beach, VA, details and information to follow.