Grace Suddreth Hoffstein's Obituary
Grace Vivian Sullivan Suddreth (Hoffstein), age 85, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. Grace was born in Bethune, SC and was the daughter of the late Hubert and Dolly Harp Sullivan. She was predeceased by her husband and father of her children, Spencer Henry Suddreth. She is also predeceased by her second husband, Stanley Hoffstein.
Grace attended Mars Hill College where she met Spencer Suddreth through a mutual friend. They married in 1954 and left North Carolina in 1955 and moved to Wilmington, Delaware where they raised their children. They later divorced but remained devoted friends until Spencer’s death in 1995. Grace worked for Electrolux Vacuum Cleaners for over 50 years starting as a cashier in a small branch in Claymont, Delaware and ending her career as a franchise owner in Florence, South Carolina. Throughout her long career she held various positions with Electrolux and became a smart and savvy business leader. She was devoted to her career and enjoyed working until she retired in 2009.
Grace loved being from a big family and adored her 11 brothers and sisters, and the many nieces and nephews that blessed the family. She would often talk of growing up in the sandy hills of South Carolina and working alongside her siblings picking cotton or tending vegetable gardens. Though she lived over 40 years in Delaware, she remained a proud South Carolinian.
She was a loving and patient mother always teaching her children that kindness and a generous spirit were important for a well-lived and purposeful life. Her prayers always ended with “we pray that you Lord will guide and direct our lives.” He certainly did for Grace.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the dedicated and loving staff of Olde Knox Commons and Hospice & Palliative Care Lake Norman for their excellent care during the last weeks of her life. Grace loved all her caregivers and they loved “Miss Grace”. She could not have received any better care or more love from these two organizations. In addition, the many friends she made while in assisted living kept her cheerful and full of love. We know that Jeri, Richard and Mary will miss her.
Grace will be missed dearly by her family and is survived by her son, Kenneth S. Suddreth and his wife, Marsha Preston of Alpharetta, GA, daughter, Karen E. Suddreth and her husband, Karl Bain Black of Huntersville; two grandchildren, Andrew Michael Suddreth and his wife, Bethany and Abigail Margaret Suddreth. Her surviving siblings include Clarine Bailey and her husband, Marvin; Cora Lee Newman and her husband, Bill; her sisters Helen Horton and Loretta Belk. Grace is also survived by one brother, Isaac Sullivan and his wife, Peggy. Grace also had many nieces and nephews whom she loved and cherished. She had no greater joy than spending time with each of them during summer break, whether in South Carolina or in Delaware.
She is predeceased in death by her siblings, Ray Sullivan, Clayton Sullivan, Bud Sullivan, Carol Sullivan, Ralph Sullivan and Margaret Truesdale.
The family will hold a service to celebrate the life of Grace on June 15, 2019 at 1pm at the First Baptist Church of Cornelius.
Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Lake Norman, https://www.hpccr.org/give/memorials
James Funeral Home is serving the family and condolences may be sent to them through our website at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
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