Sue Ann Elliott Vandergriff, longtime resident of Carthage, Mo., passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at St. Luke’s Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living in Carthage. She had been a resident following complications from a fall in January 2019.
Sue was born in Kansas City, Mo., on Jan. 4, 1945, to Paul Kanavel Elliott and Zelma Zelia Zink; and upon his passing, was later adopted and raised by Joseph Clinton Lundy and Zelma. She was a 1963 graduate of Shawnee Mission West High School, in Shawnee Mission, Kan. She married Jack DeWayne Vandergriff on Nov. 23, 1963. Sue worked as a bookkeeper until 1994 when she and Jack opened and operated Bee’s Old Fashioned Variety Store and then Private Events on the square in Carthage until closing and retiring in 2004.
Also, during this time, Sue was active in many civic organizations. She was past president of area chapter of Soroptimists, served as the head of the Carthage Courthouse Preservation Committee, was a Beta Sigma Phi lifetime member, General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Carthage. She also served as a member and president of the Main Street Carthage board. She and Jack were awarded Missouri Main Street Merchant of the Year for Bee’s Variety. Sue also received the Athena Award for professional excellence, community service, and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.
From February 2007 to August 2009, she co-authored a column for the Carthage Press. She was a committee member of Hall of Carthage Heroes at the Carthage YMCA and wrote the biographies of the first 19 inductees in 2012 and authored and published two historical books on Carthage–in 2003, Carthage Then & Now, and in 2015, Home Sweet Homes. Also, in 2015, Sue also was nominated by the Carthage Chamber of Commerce and recognized with the prestigious Richard M. Webster Citizen of the Year award by resolution of the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate for being an exemplary citizen in her community.
Sue was preceded in death by husband, Jack, son Adam Lee, granddaughter, Emily Claire, and brother, Dr. Arlen Lee Elliott of Los Osos, Calif. Survivors include son Dean and wife Barb Orler Vandergriff of Carthage, their children Amanda Cooley of Springfield, Ali Vandergriff Bass and husband Cory and children, Bella Claire, Carter Ray, and Dean Henry of Diamond, and Chad and wife Heather Storey Vandergriff of Conifer, Colo., and their children, Madison and Jack.
During her short time in this world, Sue made many friends and acquaintances, and was well-liked and respected by many. She will be truly missed.
Sue’s family would like to personally thank the staff of St. Luke’s Nursing Center for the excellent care that they provided for her.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 19, 2020, at Knell Mortuary, Carthage. The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Knell Mortuary. Interment will follow the service at Park Cemetery, Carthage. In lieu of flowers, Sue’s wishes are to send donations to Carthage Public Library and the Carthage Humane Society in care of Knell Mortuary.
Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.
