November 13, 2021, 73, La Grange –
Eleanor Sue Jones Walmsley, 73, peacefully passed away on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Crystal Coast Hospice House in Newport. Sue was born on August 1, 1948 in Lenoir County to the late Jack and Anita Jones. In addition to her parents, she was warmly embraced at the gates of Heaven by her husband, John Walmsley; her son, Reed Walmsley; and many beloved pets including one that arrived just days before, Casey.
Dedicated to the education of young minds, Sue spent her career working as a science teacher with Wayne and Greene County Public Schools. Through her career, she gained many lifelong friends in the teachers and staff with whom she worked.
Known to be one to take charge, Sue was both stubborn and protective. She believed that everything needed to be done properly, and she was determined to do it herself if at all possible. She saw it as one of life’s missions to take care of those around her, a mission which she greatly accomplished.
Sue had the ability to grow anything. From flowers to vegetables, she knew where to plant, when to plant, and how to care for each variety. The bounty of her harvests was often shared with friends and family as Sue showed love through the giving of gifts.
As a mother, Sue did everything possible to ensure the happiness of her two children. She passed on her love of horses to them and worked as many as three jobs at a time to make sure her children were able to take riding lessons and show horses. Hauling her own kids, as well as the children of many others, Sue was the “mom” to many.
When Sue’s granddaughter, Taylor, came along, Sue reignited her passion for playing games. The years of playing board games and card games with her children prepared her well for teaching Taylor the ropes. Everyone wanted to be in Taylor’s class at school because her “Nana” made the best school mom. Birthdays and holidays were all celebrated in style with Nana in charge.
Spending time traveling with family and friends was a great pastime for Sue. Whether camping with her RV or traveling the world over, Sue was in her element as long as good company was around. Cruises traveled with John and her trip with Hickory Grove United Methodist Church to the Holy Land were among her favorites. With the determination you expected from Sue, she traveled on her own after the death of her husband, John, with the RV just to prove she was capable of doing it herself.
With a heart of gold and a love for others, Sue was constantly participating in acts of service to others. For three years after Hurricane Katrina, she traveled with her home church, La Grange United Methodist, to help with mission work in Mississippi. Every month since John passed away, she has taken homemade breads and goodies to the many staff members in radiation and the ICU to express her gratitude for their care and concern for them. Many were blessed over the years to receive a card from Sue, often handmade and always personalized for the person receiving it. The group of school retirees that got together monthly was also nurtured with the same love as she offered gifts and goodies to them each time they gathered.
Church was an integral part of Sue’s life from the very beginning. Growing up in La Grange United Methodist Church, she devoted her gifts and talents to the Lord through serving in this congregation. In more recent years, she maintained two church families, worshipping alongside her sisters and brothers at Hickory Grove United Methodist as well as her home church. Each and every member of these churches became like family to Sue, and the love they had for her was just as large.
Spending time with her great friend, Wilhemenia “Pink” Walker, was always a joyous occasion. Pink and Sue were always on the hunt for the best bargain, attending auctions and sorting through box lots to find the best treasures. Through excursions and day-to-day conversations, Pink moved from friend to family for the Walmsleys.
A memorial service to celebrate Sue’s life will be held on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 11:00 AM at La Grange United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall prior to the service beginning at 10:00 AM. All those in attendance are asked to wear a mask.
Sue is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Walmsley; granddaughter, Taylor Reed Askenstedt; siblings, Martha Lynn Horne and husband, Dean, and Jimmy Jones and wife, Kay.
While the family mourns the loss of Sue, they are comforted in the knowledge that she rests with her Lord, side-by-side with “her John”, Reed, and the many other loved ones who have gone on before her.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sue’s memory may be made to La Grange Rotary Club, P.O. Box 8, La Grange, NC 28551, or La Grange United Methodist Church, 213 S. Caswell Street, La Grange, NC 28551. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
