A great soul whose life was a total commitment to God, family, her nursing career and serving others has gone to her eternal home at age 88. Mary Sue McPherson Hogan Lewis died at the Page Green House of United Methodist Senior Services-Tupelo after a period of declining health. Mary Sue was the only child born to the late John Erwin McPherson and Alva Alice Pullen. She grew up in Bangor, AL and graduated from Hanceville High School in 1956. Shy growing up, Sue married the love of her life, Buford Travis Hogan and to this union was born three girls, Gwen, Joy, and Karen who became her greatest earthly treasures. After 14 years of marriage, Mr. Hogan perished in an automobile accident. Seven years later she married Raymond Walter Lewis.

Family and church were most important to Sue. She taught her children the value of work, of support and encouragement, self-sufficiency, respect for all and a deep love for God’s creation. When raising her girls she was a member of Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Pleasant Grove, AL. In later years, the attended First Baptist Church and was an active member of the Faith Class.

Fishing was Sue’s chief hobby and she was happiest on the catfish ponds of Alabama. She loved going fishing with her children and later her grandchildren often with a picnic lunch to accompany (she frequently explained that food tastes better when you are outside fishing). She loved cooking catfish and hushpuppies crowning the meal with her fried apple pies – and a grand cook she was.

Her sterling personality, heart of compassion and caregiving nature was most personified in her long career as a nursing assistant in the medical profession. Often, Sue would buy toiletry items for her patients in need. She was known to care for her elderly and sick relatives. Sue was an excellent seamstress making the girls clothes growing up. She loved gardening and flowers, with the beds always being sprinkled with a tomato or pepper plant. An avid reader, she loved the Birmingham News, the “Dear Abby” column, Louis Grizzard and Fanny Flagg books. Sue moved to Lee County in 2018. Her family and friends will long remember her sweet countenance, her devotion to God and others.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, Buford T. Hogan and Raymond W. Lewis, and grandchild Andrew Douglas Hill.

She is survived by her daughters, Gwen Hill (Doug) of Tupelo, MS, Joy Lollar (Roddy) of Oakman, Al, and Karen Simmons (Robin) of Morris, Al.; her grandchildren, Alex Hill (Sara), Joey Simmons (Teresa), Jessica Thompson (Adam); and great-grandchildren, Axel Simmons, Eli Simmons, Mack Simmons, Quin Simmons, Emmett Thompson, Ada Thompson, Grady Thompson, and Briley Hill.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 1PM Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Patterson-Forest Grove Funeral Home and Crematory in Pleasant Grove, AL. with Pastor Jim McCann, IV, officiating. Visitation will be 12:30 – 1:00PM Saturday, August 24.

Memorials may be made to the Sunday Fund, Methodist Senior Services, 2800 West Main St., Tupelo, MS 38801.

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.