Thursday May 9th, 2024 5:57AM
Whitfield Funeral Home
Little Davenport
Hamilton Mill
Flannigans
Obituaries

Susan Leigh Reedy

Obituary Date: Friday, July 22, 2022
Susan Leigh Reedy
 
Susan Leigh Reedy (60) of Rock Hill, South Carolina died peacefully at home on July 22, 2022.  She suffered from a series of strokes since December that led to her untimely death.
 
Susan was born on September 14, 1961 in Camden, Arkansas to James Opie and Marian Hawk Reedy.  
 
Her parents settled in Gainesville, Georgia in 1968, when Susan was six years old.  She attended Gainesville Public Schools through high school graduation in 1979.  
 
She was a beautiful child with olive complexion and dark brunette hair.  She was extraordinarily intelligent and a high-achieving student.  Her strong intellect was matched by her love and kindness to those in her circle.
 
She married once, adopted her stepdaughter, Kaileigh, and later divorced.    
 
Her friends and family will remember her as a loving soul, and an independent thinker, always willing to find and set her own course.  She knew the value of close, meaningful friendships and understood the wealth of having a few close friends rather than a host of acquaintances. Susan leaves behind dear and close friendships she nurtured throughout her life. 
 
She graduated from the University of Georgia and earned a Master’s Degree in psychology from Augusta College (now known as Augusta University) in Augusta, Georgia.  She also studied as a post graduate at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.  
 
Early in her career, she learned human resources management while working in the family-owned business (Big G Discount Centers, Inc.).  
 
Susan applied her training in psychology in various settings, including private practice, grade school, and hospital.  At the pinnacle of her career, she served as an intake coordinator at Northeast Florida State Hospital in Macclenny, Florida.  This is a large, state-operated facility for the treatment of persons with severe and persistent mental illness.  Intake is a critical function involving “comprehensive evaluations and assessments, clinical observations, the strengths, needs, and desires of the individual”.   Good intake work leads to the most beneficial diagnosis and treatment.  Susan excelled at and enjoyed this challenging work.  
 
Susan moved to Rock Hill, SC, with her beloved dog, Bailey, to provide loving care for her mother, Marian Reedy, who lived there in a large continuing care retirement community.  She and her mother were very close, and this relationship provided huge benefits to both Susan and Marian.  
 
Susan grew up in the Southern Baptist Church.  Her faith was always a central part of her life.  
 
She was preceded in death by her parents.  She is survived by one brother:  Jeffrey Linn Reedy of Gainesville, Georgia, her stepdaughter: Kaileigh Rae Carr and Kaileigh’s son, Brody Carr.  
 
The family expresses appreciation to the staff members of Kindred Hospice and also to Susan’s private duty helpers (Val, Jackie and Bessie).  Susan had a great team of caring professionals during the difficult time before her death.   
 
There will be a casual memorial service at 4:00 pm, Sunday, August 14th at:
 
Picnic Pavilion SL8206
West Bank Park 
3500 Buford Dam Rd
Cumming, GA 30041
 
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you honor Susan’s professional work by making a contribution to:  
 
NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness
4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22203-1867
 
https://www.nami.org/home