Mrs Martha Sue King Farrell

     Our mother, Martha Sue King Farrell, “Granny Sue,” of Graham, NC and Thomasville, GA was called home on Sunday, May 23rd, 2021. Granny Sue lived just shy of 94 years, most of it in her beloved North Carolina.
     Sue was born on July 19, 1927 in Guilford County, NC to Albert Eli King, Sr. and Alma Huffines King. She was the youngest of six siblings. She loved all of her siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins and spent hours telling funny stories about most of them. Her family circle is now unbroken.
     In June of 1951 at a church in Saxapahaw, NC she married a handsome young airman named Truman Tremont Farrell. They lived in many places during those service years, including Albany, NY; Bryan, TX; and Greenville, MS. After service they made their home in Graham, NC. The marriage produced four children, which she loved and cared for with a passion. The marriage ended in divorce after 20 years however they reconciled any differences before he passed in 1999, thanks to a little creative help from Shay.
     Sue had the heart of a fighter and a strong work ethic. She overcame every challenge she met. She always said that she only asked God to give her “enough” and He did.  She was never greedy and was a true giver. She gave of her time and attention, her money and belongings, and mostly her love to so many. She was community-minded and never hesitated to write a letter to the governor or senator to offer suggestions to improve life. In 1965 she received a letter from Governor Dan K. Moore thanking her for her suggestion to reflectorize the license plates on cars to improve night driving and prevent accidents. In 1967 all those plates were reflectorized. She went on to suggest more illumination for traffic signs at night and seatbelts for school buses.
     Sue was gifted with tremendous art ability and creativity. She painted many beautiful paintings and could make anything using her small Singer Sewing Machine…with a pattern or without. She had a green thumb and her lawn always looked manicured.  Cooking was a true talent and her biscuits would melt in your mouth! Sue loved children, dogs, flowers, word search puzzles and hotdogs. Most of all she loved a good breakfast…”the most important meal of the day.” She also loved dressing up in silly costumes for any occasion, an activity she continued with her grandchildren and great granddaughter.  The family treasures the many photographs that she took that earned her the nickname, Snappy Sue!
     Sue retired as Safety Coordinator at Easco Aluminum Company in 1991 and then went on to retire from Zayre (Ames) Department Store and Wal-Mart. She was a member of the Mid-State Safety Council. She worked from the age of fourteen up until her eighties. Most of her life she worked more than one job at a time. Her co-workers became like second family. Upon retirement she started a business, “Love Dogs by Sue.” She gave away many more of the stuffed animals than she sold. She couldn’t resist giving any child who had any need one of her creations. The Daily Times News even did a feature front page article on her…which gave her opportunities to give away more of the Love Dogs.
     For many years Sue was a member of the small Christ United Methodist Church in Graham, NC. She spent hours doing anything that needed to be done from cleaning and mowing grass to altering the pastor’s pants when he lost weight to arranging flowers for the altar to teaching Sunday school. Upon the church’s closing she moved her membership to First United Methodist in Graham, NC however health issues prevented her from attending. During her time in Thomasville, GA she grew to love the members of First United Methodist Church. She looked forward to weekly church night suppers with her daughter, great granddaughter, and a close group of church friends. She especially enjoyed Mrs. Barbara Waites’ cooking and cookies!
     Survivors include her daughters Sheila Bullington (ES “Bubba”) of Thomasville GA; Sharon Farrell (Shay) of Graham, NC; son Greg Farrell (Holly) of Lexington, NC; granddaughter Melissa Thomas of Thomasville, GA; grandsons Bradley Farrell of Wilmington, NC; Joseph Farrell of Lexington, NC; and great granddaughter Ella Clare Thomas of Thomasville, GA. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews throughout North Carolina.
     She was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Sylvia Lynn Farrell of Graham, NC. Also passing before her were brothers and sisters-in-law Garland and Flora King; Jim and Ruby King; Albert and Dorothy King; sisters and brothers-in-law Dorothy and James Woody; and Elizabeth and Clifford Wyrick.
     A private family celebration of life will be held at Rich and Thompson Funeral Services in Graham on Wednesday, May, 26th. She will be laid to rest next to her mother in the Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, Greensboro, NC.
     The family wishes to thank Jimmy Dukes of Allen and Allen Funeral home in Thomasville, GA for his help in getting their mother back to NC so beautifully. They would also like to thank caregivers Tess Warren, Sonya Wyche, and Stephanie Spencer. A very special thanks to Kindred Home Health Care nurses Christi Leik and Tammy Harry and Integrity Hospice nurses Ashley Paracca and Kim Bowles for their loving care of our mother.  The family will forever be indebted to Dr. Patrick Fenlon who brought the “luck of the Irish” to Mom and kept her healthy during her final years.
     Memorial donations may be made to Sue’s favorite charities: ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to Burlington Animal Services, 221 Stone Quarry Road, Burlington, NC 27217; or to the charity of your choice.

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