Sue Spaulding
August 18, 1945-April 10, 2024
Sue Miller Spaulding passed away at home at the age of 78 on April 10th, 2024, surrounded by her family. A longtime member of the Anderson community and the Church of God, she was born on August 18th in 1945 in Anderson. She was a graduate of Anderson High School and earned a BA in English from Anderson University in 1967. She was a longtime educator, having taught at a variety of levels, from preschool to college. Early in her career, she taught Head Start in Anderson, and English at Northside Middle School in Anderson and North Central High School in Indianapolis. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Oakland University. She taught preschool in Kalamazoo, Michigan. During a stay in St. Andrews, Scotland, she taught at Madras College in St. Andrews, and in high school in Kirkaldy, Scotland.
Returning to Anderson, she taught in the English department writing program at Anderson University for nearly 30 years. She also taught courses in Early Childhood Education and Peace studies.
Sue was an accomplished pianist and organist, often playing both as a professional musician for the different congregations her husband Spencer pastored and was a staff organist at Central Christian Church in Anderson for a time. She continued to play music right up until the last weeks of her life. She was a member of the Anderson College Chorale as an undergraduate student and sang in the Park Place Church Choir in college and adulthood. She continued to sing in retirement in a rounds group with friends. She often volunteered playing piano at Bethany Pointe, accompanying her mother who was a resident there.
Sue was a loving mother and grandmother to her two daughters and five grandchildren. She also was a committed child advocate who believed every child deserves education, a life free from violence and poverty, and the love and support of family and community. Sue believed in peace and non-violent protest and action as a way to advocate for children and families, and as a reflection of her devotion to Jesus and the gospel.
Sue was an exceptionally loving and warm person to all her knew her. Her Christian faith nurtured her high ideals and her compassion and friendship towards all she encountered. Although brilliant and skilled as a musician, writer, and teacher, she was a modest person, who preferred praising and uplifting others, rather than receiving praise and recognition herself. She was an accomplished woman, who contributed greatly to her community and the lives of those she cared for.
Sue had many hobbies that she loved. She was a lovely hostess and loved to entertain family and friends in her home. She cooked delicious meals and arranged cookie decorating parties with her grandchildren. She was a gardener and especially liked to create potted plant arrangements for the front porch. She was an adventurous traveler and was always ready to venture to exciting places. She was an avid reader and loved to discuss literature with friends. On birthdays, her family looked forward to her playing the happy birthday song on the piano in the styles of different composers. Everyone said she made the best cup of coffee and there were always candy dishes filled with pretty sweets for guests to help themselves.
Quite early in life, Sue developed a world-wide perspective. It began with the many missionary and international visitors to her home while she was growing up. While still in her teens, she participated in a work camp in Lebanon in the Middle East. Her summer work with Hattie Downer’s Mission in Brooklyn, New York, also was formative. Later, with her husband and two girls, she lived and taught in St. Andrews, Scotland, UK. Cruises with dear friends, Jim and Rita Martin to the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Panama, Rhine River, and Alaska continued to broaden her cross-cultural experience. She had a particular sensitivity to international students in her writing classes at Anderson University. She was involved in Grandmother’s for Peace locally and many other peace concerns. She also taught the literature of War and Peace in the Peace Studies major at Anderson University. She led Tri-S trips through Anderson University to Europe alongside her husband, Spencer, as well.
Sue is survived by her husband, Spencer Spaulding; her daughter, Christy Boyer and son-in-law, Marc Boyer of Sarasota, Florida; daughter, Gwen Spaulding-Barclay, and son-in-law, Michael Spaulding-Barclay of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren, Glen and Franklyn Boyer and Aurora and Alex Spaulding-Barclay. She is also survived by her nephew, Scott Miller and sister-in-law, Sandra Miller and cousins, Dorothy Nye, Beverly Pitts and Becky Pence and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents, T. Franklyn and Gertie Miller, her brother, Tom Miller; her grandson, Clay Spaulding, and her cousin Dale Nye.
Sue and Spencer were married on June 24th, 1967, and enjoyed 56 years of married life. A longtime member of Park Place Church of God and associate member of Church of the Brethren, she was a wonderful supportive help to Spencer in his church ministries and was much-loved by the congregations they served.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Park Place Church of God on Friday, June 28th at 11:00 am. Visitation will be immediately preceding the service from 9:00 to 10:45 am in the Bessie Byrum Lounge. Burial will follow at East Maplewood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Parkinson's Foundation, Save the Children or The Children's Defense Fund.
Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service handled the arrangements.