Obituary of Sue Triplett Towery

Sue Triplett Towery, born May 12th, 1944, wife of Dr. Michael S. Towery, went to our Lord on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Covenant Place.

Born a coal miner’s daughter in Asco, West Virginia, to the late Juney Turner Triplett and Necy King Triplett. She was raised in Davey, WV and later moved to Roanoke, VA where she finished high school. She continued her education in Richmond at Medical College of Virginia now part of VCU, where she obtained a degree in Nursing. It is there she met her husband of over 60 years while he was attending dental school. After finishing, they moved to Sumter where she worked as a nurse at then Tuomey Hospital for several years before “retiring” to raise her two sons. As a Christian woman, she truly lived a life of service. She dedicated her life to her church, family and community.

Sue was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church where she was member of the UMW. She served numerous organizations over the years but most notably she was a past member of the Sumter Jr. Welfare League, former member of the board of the Sumter Gallery of Art, former member of the board of the S.C. Dept. of Mental Health, and finally the American Red Cross. Here she served at the local, state and national levels for 34 years. She received every award available to a Red Cross volunteer but the one that stands out is also their highest honor, the Clara Barton Award, named for the organization’s founder. She loved to cook and bake. She was especially well known for her holiday rum cakes. She enjoyed walks around the neighborhood socializing with neighbors, spending weekends at the family lake house on Lake Marion and later at the family creek house at Edisto. Here she loved going for long boat rides with her grandkids to observe wildlife, especially dolphins. Along with being an accomplished bridge player, she was also an avid reader.

Surviving are her husband; two sons, Lance Triplett Towery (Colleen) and Shane McCurry Towery; four grandchildren, Grace T. McAvoy (Daniel), Michael B. Towery, Saylor D. Towery and Samet “Sam” J. Towery; three step grandchildren, Allison N. Robinson (Josh), Jennifer E. Bardon (Brad), and Nicholas (Stacy) B. Wissner, as well as three generations of nieces and nephews.

She was youngest and last surviving child of twelve siblings. Brothers Alfred, Johnny and Tommy. Sisters Margaret, Betty, Dora, Mable, Gladys, Frances (Peachy), Brenda and Eleanor (Chick).

Memorial Services will be held at 3 PM Sunday, July 12, 2026 in the Chapel of the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home with Rev. David Day officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2 – 3 PM one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209 or to the American Red Cross- Sumter Chapter- 209 Miller Rd. Sumter, SC 29150.

Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.