Sudie G. Lee

Sudie Gray Lee, 89

This is the life of a Grandmother through the eyes of the Grandchildren. As far as they can remember, their family was centered around Maylillie Wiggins of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Where Maylillie gave birth to two children, James and Sudie. Later to reside in Philadelphia, the Wiggins family started to expand. Maylillie made it a point to instill church values in her children by attending Sunday Service and learning the Word. That was the way of her household. As time moved on, so had Sudie.

Shortly after finishing high school, she fell in love with a man named Edward. The couple gave birth to a beautiful daughter named Mary Jeanette. Sudie was a strong and God-fearing woman who did all she could to nurture her daughter. Determined to find her own way, she began working in the medical field while attending church with her family on Sunday. Her daughter was the blessing in her life, taking the time to raise her the best way she saw fit. Always loving and caring. The perfect foundation for a child to grow. The time came when Mary fell in love and started a family of her own.

Even as Sudie became a grandmother, she stood close by her daughter. Helping with her grandbabies, Rhasaan, Malik, and Rajna. She adored her grandchildren, and they adored her as well. The way their eyes would light up when they saw “Grandmom’s Car” turn on to the block. And we all remember that turquoise Lincoln, right? Even their friends would gather around that car to get their “Sudie Kiss.” It was like a superstar got out of that car. They were ALL here grands. No exaggeration, Sudie had style. Just was sweet as can be. BUT DON’T TEST HER! There was a stern side. The grandchildren loved spending weekends over at grandmom’s house. There, was so much fun. Whatever they wanted, within reason, they got it. And, yes, there was church on Sunday.

Just like before, time moved on. The grandbabies grew up to start their own families. Not much changed for Sudie though. It was just more babies to love and faces to kiss. What once were grandchildren playing in front of her, now, are adults looking to her for guidance. With Rhasaan’s children (Deja and Jahvi), Malik’s daughter (Imani), and Rajna’s daughter (Laya), Sudie felt more than blessed. And with blessings comes church. And lots of it.

Sudie was a proud and faithful member of New Gethsemane Baptist Church since 1983. For decades she involved herself in many roles. From being part of The Jordan Chorus, Sunday School Teacher, Trustee Aide, Pastor’s Aide President. No matter the situation, she made time to do the Lord’s work. And it was a lot of work that she executed with grace, with grandkids in tow.

And you know those great-grands made her a great-great-grand, wait…great-great-great…well, you know where this is going. But there was always enough “Sudie Kisses” to go around. And they sure went around for Kaison, Ilynn, and Anakin. Boy are they lucky, as we all are to have gotten that “Sudie Kiss.”

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