Sue Purvis Speir

Sue Purvis Speir, 88, passed away on October 21, 2024, at her home of Park Springs, in Stone Mountain. Born on March 20, 1936, to Harry and Frances Purvis, she grew up with her four sisters in Chicopee Village and Cornelia, Georgia, where she graduated from high school.

Sue studied piano performance at Florida State University, graduated from Emory University with a degree in education, and taught third grade in Decatur, Georgia. Sue met her future husband, Edwin G. Speir, Jr., on a blind date set up by their fathers, both managers of textile mills.

In 1959, Sue and Ed embarked on a 55-year journey together. Two years later, they moved to Denver, Colorado, where Sue earned a Master’s in Education from Denver University, Ed completed his doctorate, and they welcomed their first two daughters, Sarah and Jennifer. In 1965, the family relocated to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where Ed worked as a Director with the Peace Corps, and the family forged lifelong friendships.

They returned to the U.S. to Asheville, North Carolina, where Ed joined the faculty at UNC-Asheville, and their third daughter, Lynn, was born. Over the years, the family lived in the communities of Coker College in South Carolina, UW-Whitewater in Wisconsin, and Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia, where Ed became President in 1981. Sue and Ed shared their love for the arts, sports, and cross-cultural exchange with their daughters, actively engaging on campus in these, even in their retirement years in Athens, Georgia.

In every hometown, Sue taught piano to devoted students, accompanied community theater productions and music department recitals, and performed duo piano recitals with fellow musicians. As the president’s spouse, Sue hosted numerous town-and-gown events, championing local arts and educational programs. Sue traveled extensively with Ed, independently with educational travel groups, and alongside her daughters. International students, whom she warmly welcomed into their home during vacations, called her “Mama Sue,” a name her grandchildren affectionately used as well. Sue will be deeply missed for her warm, disarming presence, her gift for instilling confidence, and the joy she shared with her earnest charm and quick wit.

Sue loved and was adored by her husband, children, grandchildren, and Speir and Purvis families. She is survived by sisters Peggy Purvis Eash and Franny Purvis Robinson, children Sarah, Jennifer, and Lynn Speir; and grandchildren Adrian and Simran Speir Sethi, and Evan and Markus Hearn, and loving nephews and nieces. Sue is preceded in death by her parents, husband Edwin, and her sisters Jean Purvis Ward and Ann Purvis Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 22, at 11 AM, in Magnolia Hall of Georgia College and State University.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made to the Arbor Day Foundation, https://shop.arborday.org/trees-in-memory, in honor of Sue’s lifelong care for natural environments and conservation.