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BY ROZELLA HARDIN
Editorial Director
rozella.hardin@elizabethton.com
Mary Sue Trammell Huff was known by her friends for the smile she wore. She was a kind person, but Mary Sue’s sister, Elaine Wash, was quick to add “what she felt came out; she let you know where she stood.”
Known by many as Suzzie, Mary Sue loved her family. She was the mother of a daughter, grandmother to four, two of whom she raised, and had four great-grandchildren. “She loved her family as well as the children of her friends. At one time she drove her grandchildren to and from school as well as her friends’ children,” shared Elaine.
“Douglas is a close-knit community. Some have lived there all of their life, so they are like family,” said Elaine.
After her marriage, Mary Sue had lived in North Carolina, later moved to Kingsport, and in 1994, moved back to Elizabethton. This was home to her.
“Mary Sue was a gentle person, but she could be tough,” said Elaine, who was her sister’s best friend.
The two often shopped together and just had fun when they were with each other. For a time they enjoyed going to the Stateline Gift Shop and painting pottery of which Mary Sue had several pieces. They also enjoyed estate sales and auctions. “If it was something we liked and could afford, we bought it,” said Elaine.
The sisters also enjoyed yard sales and, according to Elaine, Mary Sue’s “thing” was shopping. “She loved pocketbooks and shoes. She probably had 10 pairs of new shoes when she died,” said Elaine.
“Suzzie liked to eat out. Cracker Barrel was her favorite eating place, and meatloaf was her go-to dish,” Elaine shared.
“If I were to describe my sister, I would have to say she was a strong person, but gentle. She never ever felt sorry for herself. Nothing got her down. On days when she didn’t feel so good, she would go to Walmart or Ingles. Just getting out and seeing people helped her,” Elaine shared.
Mary Sue was a 1967 graduate of Elizabethton High School and retired from Snap-on Tools in Elizabethton.
Until she became sick, she attended Phillippi Baptist Church. According to Elaine, the last four to six months were the toughest for Mary Sue.
“We did everything together – shopped together, ate out. We were together just about every day. It’s not the same without her. She was a giver and a very compassionate person. She enjoyed people and doing for her family. Suzzie loved her community and friends,” Elaine shared.
In addition to Elaine, she is survived by her daughter, Tunikia Shaeffer, her father, William M. Trammell Sr., a second sister, Maxine, and two brothers, William Jr. and Keith.
A couple of friends wrote on the funeral home tribute page about Mary Sue’s warm and friendly smile, and how it attracted friends.
Someone has said: “Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there.”
Mary Sue was laid to rest November 7. She left her sisters Elaine and Maxine with so many sweet memories – memories that will become more treasured each day.