Hattie Shands Suber

Mrs. Hattie Shands Suber was born January 22, 1930 in Clinton, South Carolina to Grace Shands Williams and P.J. Watson.

Mrs. Suber graduated from Bell Street High School and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from her beloved Benedict College in 1951. She earned her Masters of Science degree in 1965 from Howard University and South Carolina State University.

She was a member of New Bethel AME Church in Clinton, South Carolina where she served faithfully throughout the years in many roles, including Sunday School Teacher, President of the Stewardess Board, Past President of New Bethel Missionaries and Usher Board, as well as playing piano for services for many years.

She retired after 30 years of service as an administrator and classroom teacher in the public schools of Guam in the South Pacific, Spartanburg, and Laurens Counties. She was the first African American woman to serve as Assistant Principal of a high school in Laurens County and was twice nominated “Star Teacher” prior to her retirement. Desiring to continue to serve, she ran and was elected to the Laurens County School Board of District 56 where she served 12 years and retired as vice chairperson.

Mrs. Suber was a proud Benedict College alumni; a life member of the National Alumni Association, she also served as President of the Laurens County Club and chair of the Hospitality Committee.

An outstanding example of “power for good in society,” she believed in community involvement. Mrs. Suber was a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., she was a Past State Convenor of the South Carolina State Mechanism of the National Council Negro Women (NCNW), and the Laurens County Branch of the NAACP. Her commitments continued through the Prince Hall Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star of South Carolina where she served as Assistant Secretary of the Grand Chapter, Associate Deputy of Laurens County, and Past Matron of New Bethel Chapter #195. She was Past President of the Laurens County Retired Teachers Association and a volunteer on the Laurens County Literacy Board.

Mrs. Hattie S. Suber peacefully entered eternal rest at her home on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at the blessed age of ninety-three. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James A. Suber, and a daughter, Laura White Sturkey.

She leaves to cherish her memories her son, James Terry Suber, her daughters, Marilyn Smith, Janice (Randy) Robinson, MaDonna (Lewis) White Jeter, Sameal (Rodney) White Graves, Alicia (Al) White Long; nine grandchildren: Teresa (Derrick) Goodman, Marcus Smith, Marcus Sturkey, Randolph Robinson, Jr., Kendall Dakers, Rodderick (Rachel) Graves, Roddreta Graves, Jourdyn White, and Myles White , ten great grandchildren, dear cousins John (Mary) Gibbs, Dr. James (Carolyn) Gibbs, John K. (Dawn) Gibbs, Jamie Gibbs, Sato Gibbs, Marcal (Latoya) Gibbs, a special brother, Karl McClary, and many dearly loved relatives and friends.

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