Sue Ellen Wayne, 64, of New Port Richey, Florida, passed away July 6, 2021. Sue lived a life surrounded by love, including 45 years of marriage to her devoted husband, Ron. She had two daughters and two sons-in-law, who counted her among their greatest blessings: Donna and Michael Dickerson and Rachel and Jon Miller. She loved having grandchildren, and they were a highlight of her life: Tyler, Courtney, Samantha and Logan. She recently had one great grandchild, Yasline, who was very special to her. Sue was the daughter of Harold, who has already passed, and her precious mother, Reba. She has three surviving siblings, who were always a part of her life: Linda Gail Smith, Perry (and his wife Hyon Suk) Tucker, and Barbara (and her husband Jeff) Coffey.

Sue spent 27 years in service at Trinity College of Florida. She viewed her work as a ministry, during which she counseled and encouraged students and co-workers even while doing her job. She opened her home to many of them to meet needs or provide an extension of family. She and her husband, Ron, especially felt called to a ministry to show others what a God-centered marriage and family looked like, even between two imperfect people. They had a heart for those who have only seen or experienced broken relationships, to be encouraged by what could be and to experience healing.

Sue spent her life in generous kindness to others. She placed her faith in God at a young age based on Romans 10:9, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” and set about fulfilling her purpose from Him. First, based on the greatest commandments given by Jesus in Matthew 12:29-31, “‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no greater commandment than these.’” She was known by all as a God-loving and God-honoring person who endeavored to walk in love towards others. And second, she lived based on Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”, which she did through sacrificial giving, encouragement, serving and unconditionally loving people, no matter their status in life.

The Bible says that a person’s life will bear fruit of what they cultivate and Sue’s life bore fruit of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Those who knew her can testify that this was the yield of her life. Even in the trials of her last days, she was blessing others, praying for them and thanking them for their help.

Sue’s friends and family will feel her loss always, but are comforted by the fact that several times in her life the Lord added to her days and by the hope we have in the words of Christ in John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” With these words, we hang our hope that the Lord is faithful and will accomplish all that He promised. Therefore, we know that we, who also put our hope in the Lord Jesus, will see Sue again one day. We pray you have the same hope.