Nancy Suhr Hunter

Nancy Suhr Hunter, 73, passed away September 10, 2024. She was a devoted follower and an unabashed ambassador for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Everything she said and did in life pointed to Jesus. Nancy began her life in Marietta on July 22, 1951, the daughter of Mary Mayes Suhr and Robert N. (Red) Suhr. Hers was an idyllic childhood highlighted by many happy adventures with her lifelong best friend and dear sister Lindy and brothers Bob and Scott. At age 15 Nancy met and fell in love with the boy who would stay faithfully by her side the rest of her life, David Hunter, and theirs was to be an adventure that lasted more than half a century. Nancy and David were wed on December 11, 1971. Theirs was a happy and fulfilling marriage. With the births of Frasure, Holly, Mitch and Missy, Nancy immersed herself in raising her family. And raising them the right way. First, above all, to love Jesus. And then to love each other and those less fortunate with respect and kindness. In the MHS Class of 1969, Nancy was named Miss MHS and cheered for the Blue Devils where David, class of 1967, was a football star. Nancy’s support for the Blue Devils continued the rest of her life as later she cheered not only for her children but also for the many young men and women she had personally mentored. She was editor of the football program for over ten years and with the encouragement of the head football coaches started the Be Somebody Bible Study for athletes. MHS coaches, players and fans all agree she should have been one of the first inductees into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. The Hunter’s Arden Drive home, complete with the swimming pool gift from her grandmother, Sugar, became the center of all things good about growing up in small town America with cookouts, birthday parties, Bible studies and neighborhood gatherings. Their doors were never locked, and neighborhood kids had an open invitation to come in at any time. And her van littered with stickers supporting all the family’s schools – Tech, Georgia, Auburn, Alabama, KSU, Central Florida and Marietta High – was never empty and always open to kids from every neighborhood in Marietta. Nancy could always be found with a smile on her face as wide as the Chattahoochee River, even throughout her late 1990s battle with cancer along with her sister, Lindy. She laughed often and always wanted to “make a memory.” She never cared about money or possessions, but only people, whether family, friends or strangers, and their salvation. She celebrated others and their successes, not hers, as she worked behind the scenes to lift others up and serve as a prayer warrior. Nancy never said an unkind word about anyone. She taught others that in life you don’t “have” to, you “get” to. Her love of life, indomitable spirit, boundless energy and infectious smile were contagious. She broke down barriers as she championed all things spiritual in the Marietta community. Every prayer that Nancy said always began with her unique version of Psalm 118:24, “Lord, Lord, Lord, this is the day You have made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” There was not a single page in her well-worn Bible that was not highlighted and marked with personal notes. When Frasure was in middle school, Nancy decided to establish a mentoring program in Marietta City Schools. It was then she met a young student named Tony Rosser and a lifelong bond was instantly formed. And so he became the treasured fifth child of the Hunter family. Many lives were transformed as a result of this decision. Nancy was a beloved teacher at Park Street Elementary for a decade where she showered her students with love, and several times each school year she made a personal home visit to every child in her class. She then solicited all her friends to help donate clothing, furniture and furnishings for those students living in difficult home situations. And then came the grandchildren. What a Joy! Nanny and Big Pop enjoyed annual family trips to New Smyrna Beach and hosting family Christmas Eve pajama parties. They attended a record number of sporting events, musical, drama and dance recitals for their grandchildren. All along Nancy’s journey she made lifelong friendships from kindergarten, MHS cheerleading, Auburn, Peachtree Park Apts, Arden Drive, Marietta City Schools, the Tradition, Park Street, Collins Bible Study, Be Somebody, Coaches Corner, Marietta PALS, First Pres, FUMC and Marietta Community Church. Nancy is survived by her husband of nearly 53 years, David F. Hunter; four children, David Frasure Hunter, Jr. and his wife Garrett; Holly Hunter Durham and her husband Brett; Mitchell Morris Hunter and his wife Jaillene; Emmie (Missy) Hunter O’Sullivan; Tony Rosser, nine grandchildren, David Hunter III and Livie Hunter; MaryMayes Durham and Maddie Durham; James Hunter, Sam Hunter, Mitchell Hunter and Tate Hunter and Alice Ann O’Sullivan; sister, Lindy Wyche (Bubba); brother, Scott Suhr (Sally); nephew Dylan Suhr, nieces Abby Byrd, Anna Suhr and Lauren Gerndt. She was predeceased by her sister Mary Suhr, parents Mary Mayes Suhr and Robert N. (Red) Suhr, brother Bob Suhr and precious granddaughter, Hope Frances Hunter. No person ever longed to sit at the feet of Jesus more than Nancy. She was so ready to go to be with Him, her Savior, and her Heavenly Father. On September 10, 2024, Nancy was finally granted that wish and today she glorifies Jesus as she worships joyfully at His feet. A celebration of Nancy’s amazing life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Marietta with Rev. Brett Durham and Rev. Tony Rosser officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Nancy Hunter Mentoring for Leadership Scholarship Fund. Funds will be used for student scholarships and will prioritize former Park Street students as recipients. Donations can be made online at mariettaschoolsfoundation.com and select “Nancy Hunter Mentoring for Leadership Scholarship Fund”, or checks can be made out to Marietta Schools Foundation and mailed to 144 Polk Street NW Marietta, GA 30064 with “Nancy Hunter Scholarship” in the memo. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Nancy Suhr Hunter

July 22, 1951 - September 10, 2024