May 22, 2024, 86, Goldsboro —
Suzanne Pate Gurley, 86, entered her heavenly home on May 22, 2024. Susie as she was known by friends and family was born in Wayne County on July 18, 1937, to her late parents, Handley Franklin Pate and Elizabeth Irene Amerson Pate. Susie was preceded in death by four sisters and four brothers. She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Edna Pate, and Mary Pate.
Her memory and love will forever linger in the hearts of her daughters, Leigh Ann Massengill (Mark) and Sherlene Brown (Jimmy); her sons, John (J.L.) Gurley (Sandra) and Brent Gurley (Martha); her granddaughters, Brooke Barnes (Brad), Ashleigh Smith (Jon), Heather Murray (Tommy), Brandy Marriner, and Katie Sutton (Blake); her grandson, Brett Marriner (Jennifer); her great-grandchildren, Alyvia Barnes, Evelynn Barnes, Levi Barnes, Ezra Barnes, Annamarie Barnes, Juliana Barnes, Jude Barnes, Lydia Barnes, Carleigh Smith, Bethany Smith, Asher Smith, Ava Murray, Hannah Murray, Bo Marriner, Avery Sutton and Ayden Sutton. She leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and friends who she loved very much. Nieces, Cathy Sasser and Vickie Boyette, and her dearest friend, Hope Tyndall spent a lot of time with Susie. They loved her dearly and will truly miss her.
Susie loved her Lord and was a prayer warrior. She continually thanked God for her many blessings and His faithfulness. Over the last several decades, she was involved in Bible Study group, served fellowship meals, assisted with Samaritan Purse Boxes, nursery duty, and special events like Vacation Bible School, Journey to the Cross, and Night in Bethlehem at Stoney Creek Church. Before attending Stoney Creek Church, she was a member of Salem Church and taught kindergarten Sunday School classes for twenty years. She served on the Belfast Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and a term as the president. Susie touched many people’s lives whether it was lending a helping hand or an ear to listen.
There was nothing that Susie would not do for her family and they brought much joy to her life. She cherished her time with them and loved reminiscing those precious memories: card and board games, family basketball and ping-pong competitions; attending ballgames, tennis matches, cross country meets, tournaments, and Christian Youth Theater plays; camping trips, Disney Cruise; mountain, beach, and lake trips, “mini-vacations” which were weekend trips to her daughters’ houses; cookouts, Christmas breakfast, restaurant trips, holiday meals and special family traditions, etc. She always enjoyed visits from family and friends.
Being raised on a farm, she learned what hard work entailed. Her adult years were spent operating and working on a farm. When she entered the public workforce, she was employed by Nahunta Pork Center, and Edgemont Grocery, and finished her career at Maola Diary. She poured her heart into her last job as a caregiver as she loved and cared for their entire family. Susie instilled her strong work ethic into her sons and daughters.
Susie enjoyed quilting, ceramics, crocheting, word search books, and reading. While spending numerous hours working in her yard, she enjoyed God’s creation as she planted her flowers, watched, and listened to the birds. Her favorite hobby was basketball. She was on the Pikeville School basketball team for four years and received the Most Valuable Player award each year. She enjoyed playing basketball with her children and grandchildren.
Susie’s family would like to thank the staff at Kitty Askins Hospice Center. They were a blessing as they cared for and loved their Mama and the entire family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to
Kitty Askins Hospice Center
107 Handley Park
Goldsboro, NC 27530
The family will receive friends on June 1, 2024, beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Stoney Creek Church, 752 Stoney Creek Church Road, Goldsboro, NC. 27530. The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Following the funeral, the interment will be held at Pate Cemetery in Pikeville, NC.
