Sue Roberts

COOKEVILLE CHAPEL - Sue Roberts, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, age 67, passed away Thursday, October 29, at her home in Cookeville, TN, after a months-long battle with multiple myeloma. She had recently undergone stem cell transplant therapy at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, TN, where she received excellent, compassionate care.

She leaves behind her husband, Gary Roberts, of Cookeville, her sons Chad Roberts, of Blissfield, MI, and Joseph Roberts (Dr. Rebecca Rinko), of Greenville, SC, her beloved grandsons Owen and Finley Roberts (Chad’s boys); as well as many relatives and countless friends who will forever treasure her memory.

Sue was the youngest of five children born to the late Guy and Betty Seymour of Temperance, Michigan. In 1978, she “married the boy next door” when she and Gary, the son of life-long friends and dear neighbors, wed and went on to become inseparable life partners. Together, they built a life grounded in family, friendship and generosity, and for well over 30 years enthusiastically welcomed friends and family at their home in Ottawa Lake, Michigan. Their exceptional hospitality moved with them when they relocated to the Center Hill Lake region of Cookeville, TN upon Gary’s retirement.

Center Hill Lake held a special place in Sue’s heart, as for many years she and Gary and their boys, along with her extended family, enjoyed spectacular vacations there and it thus held incredible family memories. For that reason, she and Gary were excited to relocate to the area, and it did not disappoint in any way. In short order, they became part of a new community of fabulously supportive neighbors, friends and shopkeepers. Sue loved the vibe and vibrancy of the “college town”, the beautiful scenery and moderate 4-season climate which allowed her green thumb to thrive, but more than anything she LOVED to be on the water aboard their boat, and to fish. Being on the waters of Center Hill Lake was, truly, her “happy place”.

Sue’s sons, and their friends and activities while in their formative years, were the joy of her life and center of her universe, and she was up for all they were up for; nearly always. Swim team, baseball, football, camping, boating, fishing, motocross, a bonfire or a huge gathering in the famous “party barn” - right up her alley! She was the quintessential “boy mom”, and it’s beautifully fitting that when she was eventually blessed with grandchildren, they too, were boys.

Sue was incredibly talented and there was hardly anything she wouldn’t try and then in short order excel in; her skilled and capable hands were as comfortable on the handlebars of a snowmobile or towing skiers behind a boat, as they were yielding power tools in their workshop, or expertly sculpting a “perfect set” of nails at Kevin Charles Salon where she worked for several years. She could also masterfully fillet freshly caught fish, knit an artisanal masterpiece, or wrap her fingers around a wooden spoon while mixing up a batch of her delicious chocolate chip cookies. She mastered it all with endless enthusiasm, and always made it look easy.

She will be especially remembered for the extraordinary way she connected with people. She had an irresistible warmth and optimism that was contagious, and her genuine interest in others made people feel immediately welcome and drawn to her. She had an incredible gift for turning acquaintances into friends and friends into lifelong family. Her loyalty ran deep, and once someone was part of Sue’s life, they remained there.

Her passing leaves an immeasurable void for her family and for the extraordinary circle of friends who were fortunate enough to know her. Her absence will be felt in countless places and in the many friendships that were made deeper and richer simply because Sue was a part of them.

Above all, she will be remembered as a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, and a steadfast friend. A truly beautiful soul, in every sense of the word. Rest in peace, dearest Sue.

A funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 14th, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Cookeville, TN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at www.themmrf.org

Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. (931)526-6111. Share memories and condolences at www.hhhfunerals.com.