MS. Susie L. Chieke

Mother Susie Lee Chieke, affectionately known as Sue, made her presence known in this world on
November 11, 1953. Sent as a vivacious and bold soul from heaven, Sue was born in Ackerman, MS to the
union of the late James Holland Miller and Girthal Eiland Miller. Early on it was truly clear that Sue had a great
exuberance for life, but her parents made sure they taught her to have a great exuberance for Jesus. Although
Sue was number seven of nine siblings, her commanding and charismatic personality made many believe she
was always number one. Her oldest sister Mother Pauline Edwards, who preceded her in death, would often
say, "Sue really thinks she runs it," but the other Miller Sisters always knew Pauline was still in charge.
At an early age Sue dedicated her life to Christ at Rockport Methodist Church in Ackerman, MS. She
continued her Christian journey at St. Paul Baptist Church in East St. Louis, IL where she served as a Board
of Trustees member, sang in the choir, was a part of the Comfort Committee and Health Unit, and later
served on the Mothers Board. In addition, Sue always said yes whenever she was called to serve as a
speaker, MC a program, be the chairperson for special events, decorate for a church event, or do whatever
Pastor Gary Gaston or the late Rev. Dr. Obie Rush would ask her to do. Sue never said no to her church.
A true servant of God, Sue also committed her life to education. Sue attended East St. Louis Senior High
School for two years, but because of the teacher strike she finished her senior year in Mississippi. After
graduating from Choctaw County High School in Ackerman, MS in 1971, Sue attended Mississippi Valley
State where she met and married her first love, Willie O. Collins, who preceded her in death. From their
union they had two wonderful boys, Czelerick and Demingo Collins. However, Sue longed to be closer to
her sisters and decided to leave Mississippi and finish her education at Southern Illinois University in
Edwardsville where she obtained her bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Speech Pathology and
Audiology. Upon graduation she met and married Chuks A. Chieke. To this union no children were born,
and after they parted ways, Sue later welcomed her only daughter, Janai Randolph-Ray.
For over 35 years, Sue taught in East St. Louis School District 189 and was a member of the East St. Louis
Federation of Teachers Local 1220. As a dedicated educator, she made sure to use her time, talents, and
resources to always help others. Her passion for teaching and enriching the lives of children was one of her
greatest joys. She loved helping children find their confidence, their voice, and realize their true potential.
Sue greatly enjoyed creating colorful and inspirational classroom boards for her students to keep them
uplifted and brighten their day. This was a talent she also used for creating her infamous front entryway
bulletin board at church.
Sue's lessons transcended far beyond the classroom because she always took the time to teach anyone who
needed a masterclass on life's many lessons. As a mother, Sue always taught her children to love the Lord,
and be strong, independent, and genuinely proud to be who they are. As a well-respected grandmother, she
taught her nine grandchildren-KinZell, Kanai, K'Xian, Joshua, Jovanna, Zamhina, Dominic, Asami, and
Malena-to be resilient, full of gratitude, and to treat others with kindness and respect. As a sister, aunt,
godmother to Aanyla and Kailee, cousin, and friend to many, Sue taught us to fervently support others, value
our relationships, and make sure we put some life into our years.
Sue certainly lived life to the fullest. She loved traveling with her family and very close friends. Sue traveled
to London, Paris, Jamaica, Punta Cana, Cancun, Cozumel, Yucatan, New York, Seattle, Chicago, California,
Las Vegas, and many other places. She once traveled to Washington, D.C. and took great pride in attending
the Presidential Inauguration of our first African American President, Barack Obama. Wherever Sue went
she was sure to bring you back a souvenir, because it was her way of sharing her experience with her family
and friends. Perhaps one of her favorite places to travel was to her hometown of Ackerman, MS. There at her
family's home, the Miller Legacy Manor, she hosted fish fries and dinners, cooked with her sisters, planted
flowers, entertained family and friends, and enjoyed slowing down to enjoy the simple things in life. While
in Mississippi, Sue also attended countless class and family reunions and helped create the Choctaw County
High School Newsletter called the "Eagle Express" to keep in touch with alumni from the school.
Sue also liked to shop and believed in looking your personal best. She was a dynamic dresser who fully
embraced self-expression through clothing. Her creative and one-of-a-kind looks had many often asking,
"Where did she find that?" Sue greatly enjoyed shopping with and for others. She always encouraged people
to wear color, push themselves beyond their comfort zone, and most importantly, love the way they looked.
Once you found your new treasure of the day, Sue would often surprise you by picking up the tab. To
complete your look, as a Mary Kay consultant, Sue made sure you had the best skin care and makeup to
make you look like a star. If you were lucky, she would even give you samples of the latest Mary Kay
fragrance to ensure you smell good, too. After spending an afternoon with Sue, you knew you had it going on.
When Sue wasn't traveling, shopping, or hosting Mary Kay parties, she loved to support her family. At
almost every family function, it was guaranteed that Sue would bring her world-renowned banana pudding.
It was one of the few dishes that many would lick the pan and spoon of to have even a suspicion of her
delightful treat. Thankfully, Sue knew this was happening and would always bring out a second pan from a
secret location.
Watching everyone enjoy their banana pudding always brought a smile to her face, but what Sue loved the most
was watching everyone thrive. She attended countless graduations, weddings, baby showers, soccer matches,
football games, Christmas concerts, recitals, going away parties, birthday parties, and countless celebrations
for her children, grandchildren, godchildren, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends.
It did not matter what you were celebrating or participating in-if you invited her, Sue was sure to come.
Sue was there in good times and tough times. Even if you were going through a divorce, serious illness, lost
a job, or experienced the loss of a loved one, Sue did not back down from a challenge and would show up in any
way you needed her. At all events she was sure to provide support monetarily, emotionally, and physically
by being in your presence. Most importantly, Sue would always assure you of her deep love and concern for
your situation. Sue was the center of everything for everyone, and her profound legacy of selflessness and
generosity will carry on for generations to come.
On May 23, 2025, God decided to call Sue to her eternal home. Her vibrant, glamorous, bold, daring, caring,
and magnetic personality now lives on with Jesus and forever in our hearts. Sue leaves to cherish her memory:
her loving children Czelerick (Mona) Collins of Belleville, IL, Demingo (Stefanie) Collins of O'Fallon, IL,
Janai (Johnny) Ray of Seattle, WA; a brother James White of East St. Louis, IL; devoted sisters Jeweline
Barfield and Betty Walker-Woods, both of Fairview Heights, IL, Birthal McIntosh of Washington Park, IL,
Girthal (Harold) Clemons of Caseyville, IL, Louise (Donald Hill) Smith of O'Fallon, IL, and Bobby Jean
Golliday of Swansea, IL; bonus sisters Eddie Jean Lane of East St. Louis, IL, Betty McKinney and Rosemary
Clark, both of Fairview Heights, IL; adoring grandchildren KinZell Collins of New York City (Manhattan),
NY, Kanai Collins, K'Xian Collins, and Joshua Collins, all of O'Fallon, IL, Jovanna Ray, Zamhina Ray, and
Asami Ray, all of Seattle, WA, Dominic Collins and Malena Collins of O'Fallon, IL; two wonderful godchildren
Aanyla and Kailee Edwards of East St. Louis, IL; and countless special friends, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
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