Susan Marshall's Obituary
Susan Ruth Thomasson Marshall left this life on January 8, 2026.
Susan was born on November 18, 1942, to Andrew Cash and Ruth Holton Thomasson in Winston Salem, North Carolina. After Ruth’s death in 1946, she moved with her father and younger sister, Jane, to Charlotte, North Carolina where they lived with her Uncle John and Aunt Rheba Thomasson. In November 1947, her father married Marie Marshall, who became her mother from that point forward. They made their home in the Plaza Hills neighborhood of Charlotte. She graduated from Garinger High, followed by four years at Pfeiffer College. Upon completion of her education degree in 1965, she married John Marshall. They moved to John’s hometown of Lyons, New York and their 3 daughters, Catherine Marie, Jennifer Susan and Elizabeth Jane were born there. In 1976, they relocated to the Long Creek community where they built a house near her parents. She resided there until her death. Susan and her “Johnny” were happily married for 60 and a half years, always serving as good examples through a strong love for each other and their family.
Susan worked as a teacher’s assistant at Long Creek Elementary. Long Creek alumni knew her as Mrs. Marshall for almost 30 years, many of those advancing to the next grade only because of her personal dedication. She believed in quality education for every child, had high expectations for her students, and enforced proper grammar. But her true passion for teaching was her soft-hearted concern for each and every child she taught, especially the youngest ones, where she felt she had the strongest impact. Although she was a certified teacher, she chose the freedom of remaining an assistant during her entire time at Long Creek, allowing her to quietly support the school while also being there for her family.
Susan became a member of Hopewell Presbyterian church when she returned to North Carolina with her family and actively supported her church community. She shared her gifts as a teacher at Hopewell as well, including many years as Sunday school teacher, girl scout leader, and church camp counselor. Music was also an important part of her personal and church life starting from a young age, enjoying listening to music and playing the violin and the piano her entire life. She was amongst the original members of the church hand bell choir when it first began and played for many years. Always away from the spotlight, yet supportive in every way. Her faith was always strong. Susan knew she was going to God.
In addition to her teaching and church life, Susan took pleasure in simple hobbies with family and around the home. She loved planting Zinnias and Black-eyed Susans. She had a heart for all animals and a head for a good murder mystery book. She knitted hundreds of prayer shawls for Hospice patients. It was impossible to visit her without helping her with the current jigsaw puzzle and drinking a cup of coffee while she filled you in on the family's news. There are just no words to describe how much she will be missed
She was preceded in death by her mother Ruth Thomasson, father Andrew Thomasson, and sister Jane Gordon (Jim). She is survived by her husband John Marshall, mother Marie M. Thomasson, daughters Katie McCraw (John), Jenny Farmer (Jimmy) and Elizabeth Johnson (Bryan), grandchildren Kimberly Baity (Caleb), Wil (Tabitha), Justin and Aidan Farmer, Kendall and Nina Johnson, great grandchildren, Catherine and Matthew Baity, brother Carl Thomasson (Susan), sister Alice Thomasson (Phil Thompson) and brother-in-law Jim Gordon. She also left behind many much-loved cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families.
Susan’s funeral service will be at 1 pm on January 14, 2026, at Hopewell Presbyterian Church. The family will receive visitors at a reception in the church Family Life Center after the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Mary Garmon Scholarship Fund, care of Hopewell Presbyterian Church.
Arrangements are in the care of James Funeral Home of Huntersville.
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