September 8, 2026, 79, Goldsboro– Suzanne Waldrip Blackshear, 79, passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at Wayne UNC Health Care. Born in Fulton County, Georgia on September 10, 1946, she was daughter to the late Jesse Waldrip and Sara Ginn Waldrip.
Sue was a devoted family member, educator, and woman of faith who found great joy in the simple pleasures of life, particularly gardening, canning and being surrounded by the people she loved. She cherished time with her family and especially enjoyed traveling with them and making lasting memories at their beach home in Emerald Isle. The beach held a special place in her heart, and she treasured the peacefulness and beauty of the coast.
Sue was a 1968 graduate of the University of Georgia, where she met her husband, Dan, on a blind date. He told her that he was going to marry her on their second date and they celebrated 58 years of marriage together in May. Sue and Dan lived in 5 different states throughout their marriage but called North Carolina home for the past 44 years.
A true lover of gardening, Suzanne found immense joy tending to her flowers and plants, watching them grow and flourish through the seasons. She was an excellent cook and took pleasure in canning, preserving the fruits of their garden and sharing the results of her hard work with family and friends. If you were lucky enough to receive a jar of her Christmas Jam, you knew you had a special place in her heart.
Sue dedicated more than 20 years to the teaching profession, making a meaningful difference in the lives of her students. Her favorite subject to teach was history and she and Dan traveled extensively to visit the many places that she had taught about over the years. Her faith was also an important part of her life, and she was an active member of First Presbyterian Church. She served in several roles within both the local church and the Presbytery.
Sue will be lovingly remembered for her devotion to her family, her love of cooking and canning, the beauty she cultivated in her garden, and the many cherished memories she created throughout her life.
Sue is survived by her husband, Charles “Dan” Blackshear; her son, David Blackshear and wife, Jacquie; her daughter, Lara Blackshear Matthews and husband, Mark; her grandchildren, Sadie Blackshear, Callie Matthews, Molly Matthews and William Matthews; and her brother, Steve Waldrip.
A memorial service to honor Sue’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Goldsboro on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Noe Juarez officiating. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Goldsboro.
The family is in the care of Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
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