Celebrating the life of
Mary Sue Littlewood Roe
September 30, 1932 - April 02, 2026
Mary Sue Littlewood Roe
September 30, 1932, Lansing, North Carolina – April 2, 2026, Savannah, Georgia
Mary Sue Littlewood was born on September 30, 1932 to the late John Littlewood and Ennis Miller Littlewood in Lansing, North Carolina. Her grandparents were the late Herbert and Hannah Haigh Littlewood, and Luther and Mae Cook Miller.
Sue graduated from Lansing High School in 1949, and was the first member of her family to attend college, graduating from Flora McDonald College with a double major in Biology and Christian Education in 1953, along with a master’s degree in special education from Georgia Southern College in 1976. Sue was a lifelong learner; she became a Stephen’s Minister in the 1980s, and continued to engage in professional learning events to better serve her students throughout her long career. She taught at many elementary schools in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, retiring from Thunderbolt Elementary in 1994. Sue had a heart for the elderly and was involved with the Senior Friendship Days program at Wilmington Island Methodist Church from 1995 through 2011.
Sue married George Ryburn Roe, who she had known all her life as the cousin of her friends and neighbors, the Richard Roe family, on April 7, 1956 at Helton Methodist Church. Sue and George were married for 49 years prior to his death on February 27, 2005. Throughout her life they lived in Amherst, Virginia, and then on Wilmington Island in Savannah. Sue resided at Summer Breeze Senior Living on Wilmington Island for the final ten years of her life.
Sue loved the land of Israel and visited on two separate occasions. She prayed regularly for the peace of Jerusalem, and participated in the Intercessors for Israel ministry group, learning all she could about Judaism and the faith she was grafted into as a follower of Jesus Christ. Sue and George joined the Wilmington Island Methodist Church in 1964, transferred their membership to Emmanuel United Methodist in Amherst in 1967, then returned to Wilmington Island Methodist in 1970. Sue sang in the choir, and also directed it for several years. She was a member of the Open Door Circle, and served on many committees through the years. Sue always looked for ways to help others.
Sue was an active parent volunteer, supporting her children in their various activities including Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, Savannah Youth Orchestra, piano and instrumental music lessons, and the Methodist Youth Fellowship. Sue and George were lifelong supporters of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra and instilled a deep love of music in their children.
Sue was a caring daughter, the middle child of three siblings, a devoted wife, and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Sue enjoyed a hot cup of tea with milk and sugar, cultivating plants of all varieties, and bird watching, especially blue birds and cardinals. She loved animals and spent many sleepless nights and countless hours caring for the family's pets, because she understood how important they were to her children.
Sue is survived by her children, Emily Sue Roe Calhoun, John Charles Roe, Sr., Ellen Deen Roe Hooper, and their spouses, Kenneth Alan Calhoun, Jenny Elizabeth Jensen, Dewey Branson Hooper, Jr., as well as her beloved grandchildren and their spouses, William David Dunlap (Katie) of Oklahoma, Sarah Kathryn Calhoun Padgett (Travis), John Charles Roe, Jr., Courtnay Elizabeth Roe, James Ryburn Roe, Julia Louise Hooper, Dewey Branson Hooper, III, and her great grandchildren Savannah Dunlap, and Aubrey and Cole Padgett. The Calhoun, Hooper and Padgett families reside in Savannah, while the Roe family resides in Berkeley Lake, GA.
Sue was predeceased by her siblings, John Richard Littlewood and Frances Emily Littlewood Brooks, and their spouses, Celie “Cel” Littlewood and Robert “Bob” Brooks. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews John Littlewood (Angela), Charles Littlewood, Julia Marie Roe (Jamie), and Robert Dean Brooks (Andrea), and their children Charlie Littlewood, Kelly and Ben Brooks, and Jacob and Emma Roe.
A celebration of Sue’s life will be held on Friday, the 10th day of April, 2026, at 5:00 pm at the Wilmington Island Methodist Church, 195 Wilmington Island Road, Savannah, GA 31410, 912-897-2835, the Reverends Doug Walker and David Tart officiating. Visitation will be held before the service in the church Fellowship Hall from 4:00 to 4:45 pm. The Church and family will host a light meal for all attendees following the service. Please join us while we share our memories. Interment will follow in the Creekside Community Church (formerly Helton Methodist) Cemetery, 15309 NC-194, Lansing, NC 28643, 336-384-3003, on Sunday, the 12th day of April 2026 at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be held in the social hall following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Wilmington Island Methodist Church or a charity of your choosing. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Fox & Weeks, 4605 Highway 80 East, Savannah, GA 31410, 912-898-0900.
The family would like to thank everyone for the loving support they have received during this time of mourning and celebration.
Emily and all of the family, Kathryn and I send our sincere condolences. Sue was very special to us. Sue was a real pray warrior. She prayed with us and for Gray. Sue was a fixture at Wilmington Island Methodist. Prayers that God will wrap his magnificent arms around all of the family and give you peace
- Frank & Kathryn Murray , Pembroke, GA
Sue was a devoted and energetic prayer warrior for Israel and loved the Jewish people. She shined bright at Intercessors for Israel, always sharing her gifts of teaching, encouragement and wisdom. She was a special lady.
- Ann J Robertson, Savannah, GA
The more than 50 years of friendship between Sue and family and my family have included churches and husbands' employment in Savannah, GA and Amherst, VA. I have always felt a kinship with Sue and her family along the way. My thoughts and prayers are with Emily, Ellen, John Charles and all the family in the loss of Sue. Blessings on all if you. Cindy Rowland
- Cindy Rowland, Savannah, GA
Emily Roe Calhoun & family. Mama Roe was a true representative of a Prayer warrior to me & my family. She always remembers and I will never forget ! Thank you for sharing your mom with us ! Earth has no sorrows that Heaven can not heal. Remember Isaiah 57 : 1 & 2. Shalom.
- Neal Doe, Savannah, Geirgia
Our deepest sympathies Emily. May the precious memories that you have of her always bring a warmth to your heart and a smile to your face.
- Maria Verwiel, John and Maria Verwiel, Georgia
Dear Emily and family, Your mother lived a long and inspiring life that I know will be remembered for many years to come. I hope all of you will have that peace that passes understanding as you relive your loving, sweet memories of her.
- Brenda Poss Burgess, Athens, GA
My deepest condolences to Emily, John Charles, Ellen and the rest of her family. I knew Mrs. Roe for about 40 years. She was a patient of Dr. Hissam's and I was the nurse. After he passed we stayed after another doctor, Dr. Docu took over his practice. She was one of the patients that wanted to know if I was staying. Mrs. Roe was one of my favorite patients and would ask about my family. She was just the sweetest person and always had a smile. She will be missed. Praying for comfort and strength.
- Marcia Foster, Savannah, Georgia
Emily and all the family, Sylvia and I send our sincere condolences. Sue meant so much to us as we served Wilmington Island Methodist as pastor. She was our strong supporter and encourager day in and day out. She was a prayer warrior, and her prayers kept us going. We praise the Lord for life and friendship. Her life made a big differences in our lives.
- David and Sylvia Tart, Valdosta, Georgia
Emily, so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I sang with her in the choir, was in Sunday school with her, was in a circle together. Your mother was everywhere! I miss seeing you when you played in the orchestra for Isle of Hope UMC. Our love and sympathy to your whole family. Linda and Jerry Beets
- Linda Beets, Savannah , Ga
When we think of Ms. Sue, the words bright light immediately come to mind ! She was that; and so much, much more ! I have never seen her without a smile, hug, or kind word for everyone she knew or met. When I worked as Marketing Director for the Summer Breeze Assisted and Independent Living Community on Wilmington Island in Savannah, I had the honor and privilege of meeting Ms.Sue; and we became very good friends during the years I was employed there. She was a frequent visitor to our residents ; and both residents and staff loved her ! She invited me often to speak to the Senior Fellowship Group Luncheons at her Church; and I readily accepted. A wonderful time of fun and fellowship was had by all. Ms. Sue was the perfect Hostess/MC for these events; and she kept the attendees entertained with special programs/speakers, humor, announcements; and overall great fun. During our years in Savannah, my Husband, had the opportunity to meet and know Ms.Sue. She quickly became one of his favorite friends, as well. To know her was to love her, and we always will ! I know that when the Angels escorted her into Paradise, she was greeted by these words..Well done, good and faithful servant ! Our lives have been richly blessed by knowing her. She lived a wonderful life of love, grace, kindness, humility, teaching, and service to others. She was committed and dedicated to our Lord, Church, Family and Friends. We should all hope to be remembered, loved and cherished as much as Ms. Sue will be ! May God bless and comfort her sweet family with peace, comfort; and wonderful memories in the days ahead. With love, Skip and Nancy Watson
- Nancy Harrison Watson, Cumming, Georgia
"..and death will be no more.." Revelation 21:3,4. May your memories sustain you all until that time.
- The White Family, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel
912-898-0900
- Visitation
- 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 pm on Fri, April 10, 2026
- Wilmington Island Methodist Church
-
195 Wilmington Island Road (map)
SAVANNAH GA 31410 - 912-897-2835
- Funeral Service
- 5:00 p.m. on Fri, April 10, 2026
- Wilmington Island Methodist Church
-
195 Wilmington Island Road (map)
SAVANNAH GA 31410 - 912-897-2835
- Burial
- 2:00 p.m. on Sun, April 12, 2026
- Helton Cemetery
-
(map)
West Jefferson NC
