Nell Sue Whitaker was born September 27, 1925, in Grapeland, Houston County, Texas, at the home of her grandparents, Gilbert Montier (Mote) and Nimmie Eulalia (Nim) Colbert Walton, as the only child of Carl and Lottie Walton Whitaker. She was named for her parents' grandmothers, Eleanor Lively Whitaker (Nellie) and Susan Bullock Clark Walton (Sue). Sue passed away at 8:22 p.m. on July 18, 2019, at Baylor Scott and White Hospital under hospice care with members of her family at her side. Her peaceful passing followed almost three years of residence at Stilwell Retirement Community in Waco, where she enjoyed friendships with fellow residents and staff members and looked forward to gospel and country music programs, chapel services, bingo and bunco games, and relaxing in the swing. She took walks several times daily through Stilwell and, following lunch, walked around the surrounding neighborhood and shopping area, keeping to her routines with little regard for the cold or heat until the last. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; by her second husband, Johnny J. Nichols, to whom she was married in Waco on May 19, 1973; and by her first husband, Elmo Moore, Jr., whom she married in Waco on October 3, 1945. 

Sue and Elmo made their home in Waco, where they were active in business, and where she volunteered in various capacities at Calvary Baptist Church and in PTA, YWCA, and scouting. Sue and Elmo were divorced in 1966. Sue and Johnny lived in Waco for several years after their marriage before moving to Lake Mexia, where they gave their time and support to the Volunteer Fire Department, the local AARP, and the Lake Mexia Citizens Association, and where Sue volunteered in the community and was a member of the hospital auxiliary.

Sue is survived by her daughters Sue Elizabeth and husband Luther of Waco, Carla of Longview, and Kelly and husband Toby of Kerrville, and by her stepson Dale and and daughter-in-law Ann of Cleburne; by her grandchildren Emily and husband Marshall of San Francisco, California; Thomas and wife Jennie of Austin; Dallas and wife Andrea of Waco; Mandy and husband Brian of Longview; Maggie and husband Matt of Andrews, Texas; Anne and husband Shane of Crawford; Matt and wife Amanda of Longview; and Sara and wife Nyssa of San Marcos; and by great-grandchildren Tom Henry, William, and George; Ben, Jack, and Clara; Erynn and Jayla; Reagan and Alexis; Cooper and Cole; Rachel, James, Susanna, and Matthew; and Maddox and Jaxon; by one great-great granddaughter, Emery; by niece Nancylu and husband Robert of Houston, niece Ovida of Waco, nephew Mike and wife Jackie of Valley Mills, niece Sandra and nephew Charles of Arlington, by cousins Janice Jones of Orange; Jack Walton of Lake Jackson; Joe and Laura Sue Crutcher of Palestine, and by good friends in Waco and Mexia, including special friends April and Tim.