Sue Elaine Morris, 83, of Newnan, Georgia, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026, at Brightmoor Hospice in Griffin, Georgia, with her family by her side. She was born on July 16, 1943, in Vanzant, Kentucky, to Ruth Franklin Rebarker.

Sue graduated from Breckinridge County High School in Hardinsburg, Kentucky, in 1961. She then attended Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green, Kentucky, from 1961 to 1965, obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching certificate. During her senior year, she was inducted into both the Spanish and French Honor Societies. She later obtained a Master of Arts degree from WKU in 1971.

Sue devoted her career to education. She taught at Breckinridge County High School from 1965 to 1966, then taught Spanish and geography at Daviess County Middle School in Owensboro, Kentucky, from 1966 until her retirement in 1996. In 1987, she was selected to attend the National Geographic Society Summer Geographic Institute, which she successfully completed. After retiring, she continued serving students in the school system as an English as a Second Language Assistant from 1996 to 2001, helping students whose primary language was Spanish. Sue was a longtime member of the Kentucky Education Association and served the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa sorority in several roles, including president, vice president, recording secretary, and chaplain.

From 1978 to 2013, Sue was an active member of Friendship Force. During those years, she and her husband, Bill, traveled to Italy, Korea, Japan, Sweden, England, Mexico, and Canada, making new friends and learning about different cultures. They also warmly welcomed families from these countries and others into their home. Beyond their travels, Sue and Bill enjoyed many years of bowling in leagues with friends and colleagues.

After moving from Owensboro, Kentucky, to Newnan, Georgia, in 2013 to be closer to family, Sue became actively involved in her new community through groups including Lora’s Ladies, Dining Divas, Never Grow Old, and Senior Friends. A lifelong avid reader, she participated in many book clubs and several Bunco groups over the years. Sue loved to be “in the know” and became the “town crier” of her subdivision, maintaining a large email list that kept neighbors informed about local events and activities.

In 2026, Sue made her home at Westhill Senior Living, where she found joy in puzzles, bingo, and crafts. Most of all, she treasured the warm friendships she formed with residents and staff, who became a special part of her life.

Sue was known for her kindness, her eagerness to help others, and her fondness for adventure. She was often the first to turn down an unfamiliar road simply to see where it would lead. She welcomed every opportunity to explore—whether taking a quick day trip to see a new sight or enjoy a nice meal, embarking on a longer bus trip or cruise, or, in her younger days, setting out on a driving adventure. Her generous spirit, curiosity, and love of discovery will be warmly remembered by all who knew her.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Elvis Morris; her parents, Ruth Rebarker Smiley and Samuel Foster Smiley, Jr.; her brother, David Foster Smiley; and her brother-in-law, Chester Keith (Chuck) Bruington.

She is survived by her son, Kevin Morris, and his wife, Melinda, of Newnan, Georgia; her granddaughter, Taylor Morris, also of Newnan; her sister, Brenda Smiley Bruington of Hardinsburg, Kentucky; her nephews, Gary (PJ) Morris, Rick (Gail) Morris, Jason (Mindy) Bruington, and David Smiley (Mary Johnnetta Berry); her nieces, Kirby (Ryne) Armes, Courtney (Ryan) Bell, and Kelly-Jade (Bradley) Board; and numerous cousins and friends.

Services will be held at Black Lick Baptist Church in Falls of Rough, Kentucky, on Saturday, September 26. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the service to follow at noon. A celebration of Sue’s life will also be held in Newnan, Georgia, at a date and time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, designated for U.S. Disaster Relief or Operation Christmas Child. Donations may also be made through the Samaritan’s Purse online donation page; or donations may be made to Black Lick Baptist Church, 246 Black Lick Road, Falls of Rough, KY 40119.

Higgins Funeral Home Hillcrest Chapel is honored to serve the family of Sue E. Morris, please visit www.hillcrestchapelcares.com to share your memories or leave a condolence message.