Obituary of Sue K. Paty

Clara Sue Keenan Paty (“Sue”) passed away in the early hours of September 26, 2018 at the Laurel’s at Highland Creek, she was 90 years old.  Sue was born at home on November 17,1927 in an apartment over a grocery store at the corner of Smith and 9th St. in 4th Ward, Charlotte, NC.

Sue is predeceased by her mother, Bessie M. Efird McCready, father Samual Harold Keenan, husband Charles M. Paty Jr. (“Chuck”), and brothers Ray and Reid Hall.

Sue grew up in Charlotte, mostly around the Uptown area, and attended Charlotte public schools and Queens College.  She moved to Hickory, NC in 1946 and worked for the local telephone company, first as a “number please” operator  then as an international operator.  Sue met her husband Chuck in Hickory in 1946.  Chuck and Sue were married in Charlotte on January 10, 1948 at Kilgo United Methodist Church in Plaza-Midwood.  They settled in Hickory and had their first child Candace in 1952.  Shortly thereafter they moved to Asheville, NC, where their second child Charles was born in 1954.  The Paty’s moved back to Charlotte in 1958.  Later job transfers took them to Cleveland, OH and Greensboro, NC, then eventually back to Charlotte.

Sue was an uber organizer, a great multi-tasker, born leader and involved throughout her life with PTA, Kilgo Church, her husband’s veterans association, various charities, political causes, civic activities, raising her family, leading a girl scout troop from brownies through seniors, all while holding down a job.  She was an avid reader throughout her life, consuming 4-6 books per week until her health severely declined over the past year.  She was a current affairs and news junky her whole life, often leading spirited conversations at the dinner table about politics, news, history, religion, current affairs and people.  Sue was a tireless advocate for the environment, workers rights, civil rights, child welfare, animal welfare, and the public school and public library systems.  In addition, she was a fantastic and accomplished cook.

Sue is survived by her daughter Candace Paty Martin (Bill), granddaughter Megan Martin (Edward), son Charles M. Paty III (Brent), as well as nieces Heather Rohrer (Don), Holly Adkisson, Hope Hall and nephew Hamilton Hall.

A very special thank you to the staff at the Laurel’s at Highland Creek and Hospice & Palliative Care for the tireless loving care and respect they provided Sue.

Services will be private.  Memorials may be made to any charity benefiting children, the hungry, animals or Hospice and Palliative Care of the Charlotte Region.