In Loving Memory of My Mom

Norma Jeanette (Sue) Cabler Holden

DOB: 02-16-1946

DOD: 07-04-2023

Mom Left this World With a Bang!

It is ever so fitting that God would allow mom to leave this world and be promoted to paradise on Independence Day. While our whole country was celebrating with family gathering, food, fun, and fireworks, my mom was entering into her eternal rest and peace. Now my family has a MUCH greater reason to celebrate the 4^th of July. We will honor and celebrate her every 4^th of July. It is a symbol of her complete healing and independence from the cares and pain of this world.

The Three Ss of SUE 

1) Strong-Many times my mom experienced critical injuries and illnesses, but God would see her through to recover and carry on. It was about 8 years ago, when she was mowing the grass on a steep hill and the lawnmower fell over on her and trapped her. She laid in the yard for about 3 hours before David came home to find her there. She was airlifted to the hospital with a broken leg bone and a few bumps and bruises.. but she Recovered! Although, David did forbid her to ever get on the lawnmower again. About 15 years ago, Mom’s gallbladder was so infected that it began to link into her body! Dr. Bailey told me that it was really bad! But against all odds…she survived that too. She endured so much…even until the end. I know that she was in a lot more pain than she would tell any of us. All of her children inherited this strength too.

2) Stubborn-I must also say that all four of us inherited this trait from her too. All of our spouses can attest to that! After the lawnmower accident, I bought mom a lanyard with a cell phone case to wear so she had her phone with her at all times; but especially outside. Well, that idea went over like a lead balloon! That lanyard laid on the end table in the living room! Even when she did have her cell phone close by, she was notorious for hitting the Silence button. So when we called, she wouldn’t hear it. We would call David! Thank God that he seemed to always answer! Many times, David would go get her cell phone and I would call it and it would not ring. I would talk him through how to turn the ringer back on. But of course, mom would say, “I didn’t do that.” “How did that happen?” I am sure my two sisters and all her grands and some of her great grands can tell their own stories about my mom and her tenacity. I think that is a better word for it.

3) Sympathetic- Sue Holden did NOT meet a stranger. The last couple years, I have helped her and David with doctor’s visits and hospital procedures; while waiting in lobbies, parking lots, Walmart, WHEREVER she went, she would encounter people to talk to and share some of her love and wisdom. She loved to brag about her grandkids and great grandkids, but she listened to others too. She was sympathetic to others hardships and pain. She would then talk to me about how we could help them or ways our society could be a better place for us all. The last procedure that David had in Birmingham stands out in my mind. I drove them there the night before, so we stayed in a hotel close to the hospital. Mom was concerned about us sleeping in the same hotel room with David because he snores. I assured her that I would be fine. David, being the sweetheart that he always is, bought some Breathe Right nose strips to help. They must have worked because mom and I slept well. The next day, during his procedure, she spoke to anyone that sat down close to her. I remember going out to the car for something, and when I got back, she was laughing and talking with a different man. Oh how we all are going to miss that laugh! To know Sue Holden was to love her; because she definitely loved others.

Before I move on…I must also mention the other three Ss that Sue adored. 1-Sun; 2- Sand; and 3-SPEED! Those three probably do not need any elaboration! 

My favorite memory as a child with my mom was her driving down “Roller Coaster Hills” way too fast! I was about 4 years old and I would sit in the floorboard with my hands over my head and cry out, “Mama, you are going to kill us!” I am sure she really was NOT driving that fast, but at 4 years old it felt like she was. She enjoyed every second of it too. Fast cars and traveling were two things that mom LOVED! Mustangs were her favorite. She owned a shiny, red one and she was a little dangerous in it. Evan, Brayden, and Cadence had a memorable day in that red Mustang with their Memaw. They were headed back to her house on Hwy 72 when an officer pulled them over. When she rolled down her tinted window, the officer just laughed because he was NOT expecting to see a great grandma. Mom said, all three of the boys were saying, “Memaw we are going to go to jail!” She didn’t even get a ticket. For mom’s 70^th birthday, I wrote a letter to a radio station that was giving away two tickets to the Daytona 500 Race. She loved to watch NASCAR and she had never been. My letter was chosen and off she and I went! She was like a kid on Christmas morning. She had a track pass to go on the track to meet drivers and crew members and see the cars up close. We had so much FUN! I don’t even remember who won, but I am sure she does.

My mom LOVED beach trips. But you better book a hotel or condo ON the beach or she won’t be going! She absolutely loved to sit out on the balcony and feel the seabreeze and that is just so much better when you can see the beach! She and David also loved to go to the Smokey Mountains. Well, as most of you know Sue Holden just like to GO! The car ride was part of the fun for her. She loved taking in the sight and talking to total strangers along the way. One very special trip south that just she and I took was in January 2022. In the middle of winter off we went to the North West Florida Women’s Encounter. There she experienced God’s overwhelming love and forgiveness! God heals some wounds in me and her both there. Those memories and what God did in both our lives there are priceless!

My mom’s life speaks of extravagant love, forgiveness (which she freely gave), and restoration. God restored so much in my mom’s life and gave her 77 years of goodness! The way we can all honor Sue Holden is to forgive freely and love boldly.

Above ALL, LOVE each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (I Peter 4:8 NIV)

Written by Teresa (Scott) Tate (Sue Holden’s youngest daughter)