Sue "Su Su" Foster Vause

Sue Foster Vause, 87, of Chapel Hill passed away peacefully on Monday, November 28, 2022, with her loving family by her side.

Sue was born December 27, 1934 in Johnston County to Leon and Janie Foster. She graduated from Micro High School and was a cheerleader and on the student council.  She was a talented vocalist and sang in a combo throughout high school and college. She attended Women’s College (now UNC Greensboro) her freshman year then transferred to Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in Wilson, NC. She graduated with a BA degree in English and Education. 

She was married to James Berry Vause Jr. Berry and Sue worked as civil servants with the US Army as teachers on bases throughout Europe until 1961. Their daughter Chanee was born upon their return to the US in 1961. Berry and Sue divorced in 1964.  After divorce, Sue worked in real estate.  She took a job in an accounting firm in the mid-1970s and eventually started her own accounting business in 1980, which she loved.  

When her first grandson was born, she became “Su Su”! Her nieces and nephews called her Aunt Su Su so Su Su as her “grandma” name seemed perfect.  She became Su Su to everyone she knew!

She had a passion for flowers and flower arranging.  She was the committee chair for the flower committee at Carol Woods for years and created beautiful arrangements to be displayed around Carol Woods.  She was also an accomplished artist.  She even made a trip to Paris France with Artist friends in the late 1980s to paint. She loved to entertain and would often organize dinners and gatherings for her friends and new comers to Carol Woods.  She wanted people she met to feel welcomed and loved. She was also a great cook. Everyone at Carol Woods knew Su Su as a hugger.  She had a hug for everyone. Even if you weren’t a hugger yourself, you could not resist her big, dimpled smile and outreached arms! 

Sue is survived by her daughter, Chanee Battle of Fort Mill, brother, Curt Foster of Selma NC, nieces Karen Fox Symmes of Wilmington NC, Heather Foster Perez, of San Diego Ca, and nephew, Gary Fox of New Bern NC. Four grandchildren, Dylan Battle (wife Holly Battle) of Colorado Springs Colorado, Noah Battle and Olivia Battle of Fort Mill, SC, Kaylee Battle of Columbia SC and great grandchildren: Indy Battle, Elowyn Battle and Oliver Battle, all of Colorado Springs, Co.

A graveside celebration of Sue’s life will be held on Tuesday, December, 13 at 2:00 pm at Bluestem Conservation Cemetery, 1900 Hurdle Mills Road, Cedar Grove, NC  27231.  A memorial service to celebrate Su Su’s life will be Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Carol Woods Retirement Community in Chapel Hill, NC.

Memorial contributions in Su Su’s name can be made to Carol Woods Resident Assistance Fund, Carol Woods Retirement Community, 750 Weaver Dairy Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 or St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 501 Pine Street, Fort Mill, SC 29715.