Sue Tucker Ward Gailey

Sue Tucker Ward Gailey, age 73 of Baldwin, Georgia, as her late mother-in-law, Mary Sancken Ward would have said, “made the big trip” on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia on June 10, 1952, she was a daughter of the late William McClendon & Nell Brown Tucker. In addition to her parents, She was preceded in death by her late husband, Philip Sancken Ward, Sr. Sue graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in dental hygiene in 1975 and went on to work as a dental hygienist for 14 years under Barrett Trotter, Walter Anderson, & Bill Burdeaux. She then taught dental hygiene at the Medical College of Georgia for 25 years as an associate professor.

Survivors include her loving husband, William Rodney Gailey of Baldwin, GA; son, Philip Sancken Ward, Jr. (Sokheng) of Phnom Penh, Cambodia; daughters, Catherine Ward Stewart (Daniel) of Augusta, GA; and Sarah Ward of Sonoma, CA; grandchildren, McClendon, Ward, & Tucker Banks Stewart; sisters, Jane Tucker Merchant of West Point, MS; Nancy Tucker Morelock of Augusta, GA; Beth Tucker Kesler of Gainesville, GA; step-children, Ty Gailey of Atlanta, GA; Will Gailey of Castle Rock, CO; Hannah Gailey Pilla of Atlanta, GA; step-grandchildren, Jameson Gailey, Hollis Gailey, Madeline Gailey, Niam Pilla, & Mira Pilla.

There are certain people you meet in this world and instantly understand, they are a light in this world – Sue Tucker Ward Gailey was undoubtedly one of these people. Anyone who met Sue Gailey clearly saw she lived a life led by faith – an attribute she deeply wished to pass on to her children.

A celebration to honor Sue’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Nacoochee Presbyterian Church in Sautee with Pastor John Harrison & Mr. Dennis Boydstun officiating.

A reception will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Association at www.als.org  or at P.O. Box 37022, Boone, IA 50037.

An online guest registry is available for the Gailey family at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com 

McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.