Sue (Bullard) Hicks Shoesmith, 83, left this world to be with her Lord and Savior on December 3, 2018 after a short battle with cancer. Sue was born on October 28, 1935 in Olney, Illinois to Gerald and Nellie Bullard. She attended Richland County High School in Olney.

Sue met and married her first husband Charles Vernon Hicks with whom she had five children, all who reside in Texas;

Surviving her are children Michael and wife Katie of Bastrop, Mark and wife Christy of Highland Village, Larry and wife Susan of Lubbock, Gary and wife Lynn of Weatherford, her only and very special daughter Valerie of Denton, and stepson Shawn Shoesmith and wife Katie of Hubbard.

Sue and the family lived in Lakewood, Colorado from 1960-1971, and also in Midland, Texas where all her children graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. Mamma Sue as she was affectionately known to many, was a kind, funny, playful and caring second mother to many of her children's friends.

Sue worked for the Midland Reporter-Telegram for many years.

Sue later married Ivan "Shu" Shoesmith and relocated to Medford, Oregon. Sue and Shu, as they were known, were a musical duo, bringing joy and happiness with their big band, jazz and swing sound to all in the Medford, Oregon area. After retiring in 2004, they moved to Denton, Texas and closer to her children and grandchildren. Sue was blessed with her first great grandchild this past summer.

Sue is preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Ivan in 2016, and her brother Jerry in 2009.

She leaves behind 9 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter, and many half brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life held at Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church in Arlington, TX.

Midland Reporter-Telegram (TX) - Sunday, December 9, 2018