SNELLVILLE, Ga. — Sue Ann Wilson Button, 60, of Snellville, passed away at her lake house Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015. She was preceded in death by her son, Jeff Button; and father, William Wilson. She is survived by her husband, “Chuck” Charles Button; son, Charlie (fiancé, Michelle) Verlander; mother, Patricia Wilson Parker, Bettendorf; sisters, Nancy McElhiney, Bettendorf, and Cindy Bischoff, Dallas, Texas; and four nephews, Michael and Nick Smurda, and Sam and Joe McElhiney; as well as two brothers-in-law; and numerous loving cousins and aunts and uncles.
Sue was born in Davenport on Aug. 18, 1954, the daughter of Patricia Wiley Wilson and William James Wilson. She graduated with a master’s degree in special education from Iowa State University. Sue taught school for 35 years, greatly impacting the lives of her hundreds of students. Sue married Charles Albert Button in 1978 in Davenport, residing in Iowa until 1987, when they moved to the Atlanta area.
Sue was a devoted mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend. She was selfless with a huge heart, and was loved by all who knew her. She loved having fun with her family and friends, and was beginning to enjoy her retirement. In the words of her dear friend Terri Denmark, Sue was the “perfect combination of grace and sharp wit.”
The funeral service honoring the life of Sue Ann Wilson Button will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, at Tom M. Wages, Snellville Chapel. Burial will follow at Eternal Hills Memory Gardens, Snellville. The family will receive friends 4-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, at the funeral home.
Those who prefer memorial donations in lieu of flowers may make donations to MARR, 2815 Clearview Place, Doraville, GA, 30340. Condolences may be viewed or sent to www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company” Snellville Chapel, 770-979-3200, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Linda Cohen
Incredibly sad news. I will always remember Sue's wonderful laugh and smile. Thinking of her family at this difficukt time. What a loss for all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Pat Truman
Though we all realize this day will come for each of us...the loss of a childhood friend...one whom we had met during our carefree and formulative years, I'm certain the reality seems unfathomably surreal. And Peggy Hill, my first thoughts are of you. Yes, my sympathies go out to Sue's family but I can't help but think how hurting you must be. May your memories comfort you...and I'm sure you have many. I believe I met Sue in Middle School and I recall her laughter and wit. Why am I remembering headbands and her carrying her flute? Back before Title XIV, she was one of BHS' numbered female athletes, as a member of the girls' golf team. I can hear her easily identifiable Iowa twang. And I would like to have a nickel for everytime we drove Middle Rd and I would point up to the big brick house on the hill and tell my folks, "that's where Sue Wilson lives..." Rest assured dear Peggy, she will always live and thrive in your heart.
Peace to you & the rest of your gang,
Pat Truman
Tina Getz
Pat, what a beautiful tribute to Sue, as well as to Peggy, who shared that very unique bond of friendship with Sue. It was only fitting that it was Peggy who stood up before a group of hundreds at Sue's memorial service in Atlanta last Saturday to give a eulogy honoring her lifelong friend. Peggy's eloquence brought the crowd to tears and to laughter, which was really the best possible way for Sue to be remembered. It was a remarkable feat for someone who had just faced this tragic loss herself and had stepped in to comfort the family members during their time of need. Well done, Peg. You kicked ass. And you did Sue proud.
Sue, I will miss so much. Nobody made me laugh harder. As Peggy (and every other person at Sue's memorial) pointed out, it was always Sue who got everybody else in trouble with her murmered asides during classes or meetings, or later in life, academic conferences. She caused the rest of us to laugh out loud and we all got in trouble. But everyone, to a person, agreed that Sue never, ever got caught.
Sue and I took up golf at the same time. As Pat pointed out, she went on to be a lettered athlete and, as Peggy pointed out, it was because of Sue that BHS's girls' golf team came to be a real force to be recognized and remembered. Sue kept up her game and went on to shoot a hole-in-one while living in Atlanta. (As for me, I have never been able to finish a hole in under 20 shots, and nobody expects that to change anytime soon.)
Sue loved rock and roll and danced the night away in the front row at several Eric Clapton concerts. We had a pact that if Eric Clapton ever wanted either one of us to run away with him, that was okay with the other one of us. (Big of us, we knew.) Even apart from Eric, Sue apparently saw EVERYBODY in concert and we were always comparing notes and songs and videos. As a friend of recent vintage observed, Sue had even become a fan of Adam Lambert and had followed his show to several states.
I could keep going but I won't. I will miss Sue dearly. She was a wonder and I thank her greatly for the pleasure of her company for so many years. Rock on, my friend.
Catherine Worsley
Sue always had that twinkle in her eye. Wherever she was, hilarity would ensue. What a sad loss!
Jonathan Siegel
1968-1972 were awkward years for me. Not so many people crossed the bridge from mainstream society to the annex of my Breakfast Club world. Sue Wilson was one of few who's warmth and good humor transcended that bridge and I'm sure that her "reach" and that of many other kind souls in the ensuing years taught me to stretch my reach outside of my world as well.
Debbi Campbell
What wonderful thoughts shared by many. It is difficult to express what close friends and family must feel right now. Peggy, I am thinking of you and your loss as well. Tina and Pat expressed so eloquently what the rest of us are feeling. Sue was a true friend to many and a dedicated fellow educator.
Love and hugs to all of our Class of '72 HIgh School family,
Debbi
Angela Taylor (Phillips)
This is very sad. When I think of Sue I see smiles and freckles. She was a wonderful person. She will be missed.