Biography: Sue Sanders Maddison, 70, of Little Rock, transitioned on the 1st of April, 2021 after a short illness (not COVID19). She was born on the 27th of November, 1950 to the late Bernice F. Sanders and Arthur O. Sanders, of Little Rock. Sue is also preceded in death by her paternal grandparents.Dr. Stanley Fedder, uncle, and his wife, Sue Fedder. Miriam F. Sanders, aunt.
Across the pond (in England), Sue is preceded in death by William T. Maddison, father in law, and his wife, Florence E. Maddison. Albert C. Holland, brother in law. Roland Malecot, brother in law.
Sue is survived by her loving husband of 42years, Keith, whom she met in 1973 on a Trans World Airlines 747, flight 700, flying between New York and London, England. They dated for six years before getting married in 1979. She is also survived by Sandra Pruitt, cousin, and her husband, Hollis Pruitt. Ann Monyhan, cousin. Laura (Pruitt) Joseph, second cousin, and her husband, Brad Joseph. There are also many friends, teachers, and students.
Across the pond (in England), survivors are Joyce Smith, sister in law and her husband, Peter Smith. Pat Malicot, sister in law. Rosemary Holland, sister in law. There is also Donna Cayzer, niece, and her husband, Greg Cayzer. Nephews, Alan Beard, Clive Beard, Mark Beard, and his wife, Gin. Larry Holland and his wife, Marie.
Sue graduated from Hall High School in 1968, subsequently graduated from Lindenwood College (for girls), St. Charles, Mo. in 1972. She started her teaching career at Orchard Farm High School, St. Charles, MO. She later received a master's degree in education. In 1975, Sue returned to Hall where she spent her teaching career. During her Hall years, Sue taught tenth grade Honours English, Creative Writing, tenth grade Gifted and Talented English, and English as a Second Language. She held a genuine interest in each of her students and encouraged them to be free in spirit and free to question. For several summers, Sue led groups of high school students on educational tours of Europe. She always wanted to challenge her students with new ideas and experiences. In the 1980s, Sue participated in the Arkansas Writing Project through the Arkansas Department of Education. Within school districts across the state, she led teachers in developing techniques to help students improve their skills as writers. In 1989 Sue was awarded the Stephens Award for outstanding teaching in the Little Rock School District. Always openhearted and interested in inclusion, Sue volunteered as an adult advisor, and also directed camps for high school students at Ferncliff Camp during Camp Anytown, Arkansas. A project of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The week long, very intense camp taught students about cultural diversity and the acceptance of such. In the spring of 1995, Sue spent a month as an exchange teacher in Russia. In the 1990s, she served as Chairman of the Hall English Department. Throughout her many years as an educator, Sue was an inspiration to both her students and her colleagues. After 29 years of teaching, Sue retired in 2002 in order to spend more quality time with her aging parents. Unfortunately she suffered a brainstem stroke in 2003. Very few people have a brainstem stroke and live to talk about it, but Sue did just that. All of her disabilities were physical and with the use of a four wheeled walker (these days called a rollator) she was able to navigate around most locations and live a relatively normal life for 18years. Her good friend, Loretta, a P.T., would work with Sue twice a week at Curves, a women’s workout facility. This was definitely responsible for keeping Sue in the best shape she could be. They did this for most of the 18years with COVID19 being the main culprit for preventing the workout. During those 18years, we travelled on commercial aircraft, cruise ships, and just by car. Some of her favourite places to visit were, the “River House” in Norfork, AR on the White River. Too few visits there!! Dauphin Island, AL. Galveston, TX. Alaska, and of course she loved to visit her British family, although after the stroke transatlantic travel was deemed to be too much of a challenge so the Brits came to Little Rock instead. Those who loved her will remember Sue for her kind and generous spirit, her wonderful sense of humour, and her courage in facing the severe challenges her stroke presented.
During the journey of Sue’s short illness it was necessary for her to be an in-patient at the following locations: U.A.M.S, CHI St. Vincent Rehab, Sherwood CHI St. Vincent North and again at U.A.M.S, then her journey ended at Hospice Home Care.
Thank you to the U.A.M.S H6 (med/surg) Health Team and the support staff for taking such good care of Sue. Everything that could be done, was done to try and save Sue’s life, and done with CARE, DIGNITY, and RESPECT.
Hospice Home Care!! You guys are absolute ANGELS!! Once again those three words, CARE, DIGNITY, and RESPECT are front and centre for your patients. However, not only did you help her through her graceful transition, but you carried out every request made of you to facilitate Sue’s final wish, to be a donor.
Sue, one of the most caring, giving people I have ever known was in the Arkansas Donor Registry and was a potential tissue donor. As her husband, I was honoured to carry out her wishes and the Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency recovered Sue’s bone for transplant or research. Sue’s bone can potentially help 300+ people.
Also, the Arkansas Lions Eye Bank and Lab recovered Sue’s eyes for transplant or research. Sue’s eyes can potentially help 18+ people.
The staff of these two agencies was caring and professional thus making a sensitive time of loss easier by knowing that my dear Sue was given the chance to be a hero, A LAST CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!
A graveside service will be held on Friday the 9th of April, at 2.00PM at the Oakland Jewish Cemetery on Barber St. in Little Rock with Rabbi Barry Block and Rabbi Gene Levy officiating.
In lieu of flowers, a celebration of Sue’s life may be sent to: POTLUCK FOOD RESCUE, 621 W. Broadway, North Little Rock, AR 72114.