Sue Ella West

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Sue Ella West, aged 85, on November 6, 2025, at her home in Gray, TN.

Sue was born in Kingsport, TN, to Roy and Nell Cornwell, on February 29, 1940. As the baby of the family with five older brothers and sisters and a leap year birthday, Sue was always young-spirited, loving, and outgoing, with a strong sense of self and purpose.

Sue loved where she was raised and spent her entire life in Gray, other than a short stint in each of Illinois and Johnson City after she married the love of her life, Luke West. Her marriage of over 60 years to Luke was filled with unmatched and limitless bounds of love, friendship, support, and devotion. Together they built a sweet and beautiful life dedicated to each other and the family they created and nurtured.

Although Sue never held back telling you what she was really thinking, she was social, warm, kind, humorous, and engaging. She always loved a good party or event -- as a graduate of Sulphur Springs High School, she attended school reunions every year; she accompanied Luke to annual Naval reunions of the USS Robinson held all around the country (which she comically referred to as "The Drunk Sailors' Convention"); and she always enjoyed "holding court" and hosting or attending holidays, birthday celebrations, and casual gatherings for family and friends (even if it was simply hanging out and relaxing on her front porch or by her pool). She was very creative, having been a ceramic arts instructor for Johnson City Parks and Recreation, owning her own ceramics shop, and, of course, always elaborately decorating her home for every holiday. Sue was a lifelong member of Gray United Methodist Church. She enjoyed travel, gardening, cooking certain specialties, going out to eat, and visiting casinos where she played her favorite slot machines.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Nell Cornwell, her son, Ricky West, and all of her siblings.

Family was of utmost importance to Sue and she, along with Luke, created a wonderful legacy. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Luke West; children (and spouses), Howard Mack McQueen (Andrea Rattner), Sheila West Newman (Stacy), Luke Edward West (Kimberly), David Joslin (Mary), and Joseph Ripepi (Mary); grandchildren, Gina Shepard (Tyler), Michael, Layla, and Westlyn; and great-grandchildren, Noah, Jack and Addison.

There are many friends and other family members who were special to Sue, including Wayne Almany, Roger and Barbara Blevins, Joe Hicks, Phil and Patti Moore, and Benny and Pam Van Huss. She will be greatly missed.

The family will be receiving friends and family at the Tetrick Funeral Home in Johnson City, TN, with the date and time to be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sue's memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children or any charity of your choice.