Helen Sue “Susie” Johnson Welker, born on August 23, 1939 to parents Raymond Johnson and Essie Buna Harrold Johnson, died peacefully in her home on July 26, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by Bob Welker, her husband of almost 64 years; her children, Suzanne Moughon (William), Rob Welker (Cara), and Jenifer Williams (Scott), and her grandchildren, Zoe Welker, Clay Moughon, Sarah Stacey (Preston), Jordan Welker and Lindsay Williams, who knew her as “Mimi.” She graduated from West End High School in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1957 and was involved for decades with her high school reunion planning committee. She attended The University of Alabama, in which she took great pride, later going on to graduate from Christopher Newport College. As a military spouse, she was instrumental in fostering a sense of home and comfort as her family traveled around the world. From Brazil to Germany and all over the United States, she was a source of stability in the lives of her children and her husband, whose career she aided immensely. She later taught at Phoebus High School in Hampton, Va., where, as a beloved English teacher, she revived and coached the debate team, eventually leading the team to win a state title. She was a member of Singleton United Methodist Church for over 30 years and was a very active member of United Methodist Women. In her retirement, she wrote the Singleton Breeze, her church newsletter, and was an active caretaker for her grandchildren, making sure to never miss a single important event. She was an incredible cook who passed down numerous recipes, including her famous peanut butter fudge, to her children and grandchildren, who all loved her dearly. She absolutely loved going all out for Christmas, spending time with her congregation and the Lord, and spoiling her family rotten, including sewing quilts for every grandchild’s college graduation, among other events like births and reunions, to name only a few. She will be missed more than words can express.
Special thanks to her tireless, phenomenal, exceptional, and loving caregiving team: April, Shannon, Jessica, Trisha, Heather, Mallory, Kaidance, Mariah, Ashlyn, Ashley and Katie. You are now family.
In memory of Susie, contributions can be made to her beloved Singleton United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 27, Schley Va. 23154-0027.
Visitation will be at Singleton United Methodist Church, 5869 Ware Neck Road, Gloucester, Va. 23061, on Thursday, July 31 from 10-11 a.m. with a service to follow.
Roll Tide!