Susan E. Hornsby

RICHMOND - Susan Elizabeth "Suzelle" Hull Hornsby, 90, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2017 in her Richmond, Virginia home, surrounded by her four children. Born in Lynchburg, Virginia and raised in Roanoke, she was the daughter of the late David Denton Hull, Jr. and Elizabeth Duval Adams Hull. Following high school at St. Catherine's School in Richmond, Virginia, Suzelle graduated in 1948 from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she met her husband, J.W. "Bill" Hornsby, Jr. from Yorktown. Suzelle made many friends through the Pi Beta Phi sorority at William and Mary, and remained active as a Pi Phi alumna. She also enjoyed serving through the Junior League. After getting married in 1950, Suzelle worked at Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg while her husband attended law school at William and Mary. Upon his graduation in 1952, they moved to Newport News, Virginia where Bill began his law practice and they raised their four children. Suzelle often said that she was "made to be a mother". Each child had their own birthday celebration with a "made from scratch" birthday cake. Her doll cake was a favorite! She always attended school and sporting events, and loved to host parties for her children and their friends. Lifelong friends have noted that Suzelle was supportive and caring, always generous with her time and talents. Many were the recipients of her quiet kindnesses. Suzelle loved traveling with family and friends to any place that didn't require flying in an airplane! Most of all, she was deeply devoted to her children and grandchildren. Suzelle is survived by her four children and six grandchildren: Anne Maxwell Hornsby of Silver Spring, Maryland; Elizabeth ("Beth") White Hornsby of Pasadena, Maryland; John William ("J.W.") Hornsby III and wife Cindy of Abingdon, Virginia; Susan Hornsby Bruce and husband Cliff of Richmond; Devynne Maxwell Bruce of Raleigh, North Carolina; Clifton Faulkner ("C.F.") Bruce III of Nashville, Tennessee; David Hornsby Bruce and Molly Griffin Bruce, both of Richmond; Daria Kate Frances Hornsby and William Valentin Lewis Hornsby, both of Abingdon. Suzelle is also survived by her brother-in-law John W. Old, Jr., of Greenwich, Connecticut, and many nieces, nephews and cousins in the Hull, Hornsby, and Bowditch families. The family also deeply appreciates the extraordinary and loving care Suzelle received for almost 4 years from her caregivers Dorothy Schaubert, Judy Goodman, and Jennifer Murrell. There will be a graveside service at the Evergreen Burial Park in Roanoke. Suzelle requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to a charity of your choice; her favorite was the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be left in the online Guest Book at www.BennettFuneralHomes.com.