Lota Sue Maxwell Graef
August 16, 1940 – March 5, 2022
Ms. Graef passed away at her home in Calvary, GA, on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Funeral services are at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Calvary Baptist Church, Calvary, GA. Rev. John Paul Hasick will officiate. Interment will be in Piedmont Cemetery, Calvary, GA.
Pallbearers will be Timothy Maxwell, Louis Butler, Sammy Standley, Jason Lodge, Richey Rudd, and Greg Stephens.
Sue was born on August 16, 1940, in Calvary, GA, to the late Lee and Elizabeth Maxwell. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, English from Valdosta State College and a Master of Education in Secondary Education from the University of Miami. Sue taught English and biology in Albany, GA, from 1964-68, lived in Germany from 1972-77, and taught English and literature in San Antonio, TX, from 1977-88. She retired from Tallahassee Community College in 2007 where she was a Learning Center Specialist in the English Skills Center, taught adjunct English classes, coordinated and published the Active Voice newsletter, and designed booklets and other materials for the TCC International Student Organization. Sue impacted many students throughout her teaching career as she patiently taught them how to master the English language.
Sue joined Calvary Baptist Church during a revival service at the age of eight and returned as an active member in 1988. Through the years, she taught Sunday school, designed and published The Outreach newsletter, directed WMU, chronicled church events with photography displays, and served on various committees. She had a passionate heart for missions and worked to help the gospel reach all people and nations. Sue enjoyed celebrating her love of missions with others; so planning the annual international missions program and dinner was always a highlight of her church year.
Sue was also known by others for her various hobbies. She was a gifted seamstress taught by her mother. Sue sewed countless outfits for her daughter including matching doll dresses and stylish ensembles for Barbies. She mastered perfect stitches while adding artistic detail to her many creations. Sue loved books of all genres. Her home was filled with bookshelves displaying old and new books, most of which had been read more than once. She also enjoyed gardening, growing beautiful flowers, and watching and feeding birds. Sue appreciated many types of music which was evident by her very diverse collection of artists and albums. Her children often listened and danced with her in the living room as the next record dropped onto the turntable. Sue was amazed and intrigued by people and places of other cultures. She loved to travel and visited more than a dozen countries in her lifetime. Sue was an avid photographer who captured her journeys with slides or in photo albums that could be cherished by family and friends. She accomplished much, loved her family, and faithfully served the Lord while walking through this transient world. Sue now rests peacefully with her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Survivors include: her son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Kim Graef, daughter and son-in-law, Heidi and Hansel Butler, grandchildren Eliza and Spence Butler, and brother, Walter Maxwell.
She was preceded in death by: her parents and brothers, Lee and Tim Maxwell.
Memorials may be made in Ms. Graef’s memory to: The Handmaiden House, 401 First Ave. NE, Cairo, GA 39828; or Piedmont Cemetery, c/o Bob Maxwell, P. O. Box 158, Calvary, GA 39829.
