Sue Cha Griffith

Sue Cha Griffith, aged 80 years, joined the Lord on October 8th. Sue passed away at Parkwest Hospital, surrounded by her family and loved ones.
Sue Cha Griffith leaves a tremendous legacy as an internationally renowned artist, business leader, Korean community leader and faithful member of her church family. Sue Cha will always be remembered as a loving wife and mother, a wonderful culinary artist and for her amazing energy and kindness of spirit.
Sue Cha was born in Gyeongju, Korea, the youngest of six children. Immigrating to the United States in the 1960's, Sue Cha lived in New York, receiving her Associates of Arts Degree at Rochester Institute of Design. After meeting her husband at Ft. Benning, Georgia, she gave birth to their son in 1967 and soon became a US Citizen in 1971.
Sue Cha earned an Associate of Fine Arts at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces while the family was stationed at nearby White Sands Missile Range. Sue Cha was a passionate and talented artist, working in numerous mediums and styles, from traditional Korean Brush Painting to Impressionism and received numerous awards and honors in the USA, Korea and Europe.
After her husband retired from a distinguished career in the United States Army, the family moved to her husband's hometown of Knoxville. Sue Cha continued her art here, owning and operating Gallery Provence and Soo Cha's Fine Art Studios, located for many years at the former Orangery building on Kingston Pike and eventually moving to Karns area of Knoxville. With standing collections located throughout Europe and permanent displays in many businesses and homes, her artistic legacy will continue for many years to come.
Sue Cha was also the former President of the Knoxville Area Korean American Association and the President of the Tennessee Korean-American Association. She was a member of the Southeast Korean American Federation for 12 years, and served on the National Korean Unification Committee, which worked tirelessly towards reunification of the divided Koreas.
Sue Cha is preceded in death by her parents and her 5 brothers, who all resided in South Korea. She is survived by her husband John B. Griffith, Sr, LTC (USA, Ret.) and her son John B. Griffith, Jr, his wife Elizabeth Michelle Griffith and their two sons, Chase Scott Dyer and Nathaniel William Griffith.
The family will receive friends from 3-5 PM on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Click Funeral Home and Chapel at 9020 Middlebrook Pike in Knoxville. There will be a Memorial Service to follow, officiated by Pastor Jinsan Moon, senior pastor at Central Knoxville Korean SDA Church.
Burial will be at 2 PM Monday, October 14, 2024, at East Tennessee State Veteran's Cemetery at 2200 East Governor John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920.
The family would like to thank the dedicated Doctors, Nurses and staff at Parkwest Memorial Hospital and at Tennessee Cancer Specialists for their kindness and professionalism. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to the East Tennessee Cancer Society.