Our beloved mother, Sue Carol Hughes Cantrell Priest, passed away on September 13, 2026, at the age of 90. We are heartbroken to lose someone so special. She was a wonderful woman who will be deeply missed.
Sue was born on September 27, 1935, to Mable and Ernest Hughes in Carthage, TN. She has one brother, William E. Hughes, Jr.
Sue held an undergraduate degree from Belmont College in elementary education and a master’s degree from Trevecca College in education. She was a retired teacher. Teaching was her passion. In her own words “There is not a profession in the world that could give me the self-satisfaction and contentment that teaching does.”
Her faith was central to her life, and she set an example for her daughters and, later, her grandchildren. As a member of Calvary Christian Fellowship, she taught Sunday school for many years and mentored women in the church.
Sue loved camping in the Smokey Mountains, boating at Tims Ford, sewing and crafting.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Wade Cantrell, and her second husband, Bill Priest.
She is survived by two daughters Candice (Steve) Thomas of Mt. Juliet, TN and Carman (Dwight) Smith of Fayetteville, TN; six grandchildren: Chris (Tara) Thomas, Greg (Kelley) Thomas, Allison (Darren) Weathers, Brittany (Brandon) Hickson, Anna
Moon, Caleb (Kali) Smith and 13 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 12:00 noon in the chapel of Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home with Bro. Dwight Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens. Visitation is Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon.
Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Sue Carol Hughes Cantrell Priest.
