Sue Conley

Mrs. Sue Conley, 81, of Woodbury passed away with family at her side on December 7, 2023.  She was born in Woodbury, TN on May 5, 1942.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer Rogers and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Smith Rogers, husband, Avon Conley, son, Barry Conley, and a sister, Shelby Merriman.

She is survived by her daughters, Terri (Lee) Barnett of Smyrna and Rena Sissom of Murfreesboro, a brother, Jerry Rogers of Readyville, grandchildren, Logan (Kristin) Sissom of Chattanooga and Michelle Barnett of Smyrna, a great grandson, Nolan Sissom, and nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.

The Burt community of Cannon County has always been a closeknit place.  At the time when Sue was born people didn’t venture far from home. They had everything they needed, family, friends, a little grocery store, a school, a church, and lots of love. Conley’s Grocery was the place where people would gather and get the latest news and see friends. Between there and Bethlehem Church of Christ, Sue got to know and later to love her future husband, Avon. Shortly after she graduated Woodbury Central High School in 1960, they tied the knot. Unlike many couples today it stayed tied tightly and happily for over 62 years.

Sue was the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman.  A wife, whose husband safely trusted her. He could see right off she was cut from the right cloth. Who worked willingly with her hands. The Lord knows she worked side by side with him whenever and whatever needed to be done. If it was getting up cattle or hauling rocks.  It has been said behind every good man, there is a good woman, and she was right there. She got up early and stayed up late to take care of her family and home. Her children arise and call her blessed.

One of the many praises she would receive from her family was for her cooking.  She was definitely from the old school.  Whatever she cooked, it was done without a recipe. Even though she threw out the cookbook she had Avon there to taste test everything to make sure it was up to snuff.  The thing she was always expected to bring to a family gathering was her cornbread dressing.  It was good enough that they wanted it at any and all occasions including Thanksgiving.

When she wasn’t helping Avon on the farm, cooking, or taking care of the girls, she tried her hand at sewing, cross stitch, and vegetable gardening.  For fun she would work on very complicated borderless puzzles.  Often, she and Rena would be working on one so intently when they looked up it was way into the night.

The Burt community remained the center of her world.  She lived within a short distance of where she grew up her entire life.  She and Avon were faithful devoted Christians and lifetime members at the Bethlehem Church of Christ. Her example of faith and trust in God was her greatest legacy to her family and friends.  They can rest assured she will have a home in heaven with her loved ones.

Visitation will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Monday, December 11, 2023, from 10-2 pm.  Funeral services will follow at 2 pm in the Gentry-Smith Funeral Home chapel.  Al Bugg will officiate.  Interment will be in Cherry Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Alive Hospice.  Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com  Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337. Because every life has a story.