Sue Gilbreath

Sue Gilbreath was born Verna Sue Miller to Jesse and Regina Miller of Abilene, TX on January 1, 1941, arriving at exactly one minute after midnight to be named the first baby of Taylor County. When she was two, she moved with her parents and older brother Mike to Stamford. She attended Stamford schools graduating in 1959. She met and married the love of her life Garland Gilbreath. They were married in Calvary Baptist Church on November 26, 1960, where they were members for several years. Sue made the flowers arrangements for the church and decorated the fellowship hall for special occasions. She taught a children’s Sunday school class, helped with Bible School, sang in the choir and participated in numerous other positions over the years.

As a teenager she worked at Perry Bros. Variety Store and after graduation she worked at City Drug Store. Later in life she worked at both the Oliver Elementary and Stamford High School cafeterias. She was to oversee the cafeteria at Oliver when they were involved in a bad car wreck that broke her hip, jaw and caused her to have a dropped foot, plus other injuries. She never fully recovered from her injuries and that let to other health problems over the years. Sue worked at Smith Gin during ginning season as a bookkeeper.

Sue and Garland were blessed with three children, Billy Clinton, Karen Denise, and Michael Keith. Sue was involved in her children’s activities at school. If her children and later grandchildren and great grandchildren were involved in something she was there to support them and cheer them on.

She was a member of the Firebelles which was the wives of the firemen and volunteers and also the Firebelles Pumper races.

Sue love to sew and became interested in the Goodfellows and started making clothes for Barbie Dolls and baby dolls. One year she made five outfits each for 35 Barbie dolls and 11 baby dolls. She continued to dress dolls until her health prevented her from doing so. She also baked lemon chess and buttermilk pies for the community wide Christmas dinner held each year at the Methodist Church until her health began to fail. Her grandchildren said. “Nana was the bomb at making desserts”. She also made the best potato salad they ever ate, and her rotten eggs (deviled eggs) were the best!

She was preceded in death by her parents, oldest brother Mike Miller, sister-in-law, Margaret Miller, nephew, Dennis Ray Miller and her youngest brother, Andy Miller.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 64 years, Garland Gilbreath of the home; son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Jessa Gilbreath of Abilene, TX; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Jamie Wolsch; son, Keith Gilbreath of Stamford, TX; one brother and sister-in-law, Lanny and Sandra Miller of Abilene, TX; one sister-in-law, Mary Nelle Miller of Saginaw, TX; 7 grandchildren: Amee and Stuart Winter, Hali and Jeff La France, Amber and Scott Wilson, Andy and Demi Gilbreath, Adam Gilbreath and Dusty Gilbreath, Austin Sugar; 9 great grandchildren: Rodie Yearian, Baylie Britner, Emily Wilson, Ethan Wilson, Karter Gilbreath. Emma Gilbreath. Jeffrey La France, Maverick La France, and Logan La France; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Her best friend since first grade Esther Rhodes Brownlee and her four-legged friend Ruby Sue.

God bless each of you until we meet again.

Sue chose cremation and her ashes will be taken to Potosi and scattered at the base of a large oak tree that was on her grandmother’s farm. The Nora Miller Rd is named after her grandmother and Key Lane after her aunt Cecil Key. Sue’s family will gather for visitation Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Tankersley Funeral Home followed by funeral services starting at 2:00 p.m. with Bro. Jesse Morton and Bro. Bud Adkins officiating. Services are under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home, 807 Columbia, Stamford, TX.

Condolences may be share with the family at www.tankersleyfuneralhome. com