SUE NELL YATES HEARN
1933-2021
On February 8, 2021 Sue Nell Yates Hearn, or more affectionately known as “Honey” to those who loved her dearly, made her transition to eternal peace reuniting with those she loved who had gone before her.
This life force who was the creative architect of her own destiny lived her life with compassion, intention, humor, intellect, grace and a love for all things beautiful. For a woman of her era, Sue Nell was unique in her embrace of the rewarding balance of education, career, family and of being of service to her community. In doing so, she set a positive example for those around her and inspired many to strive to be the best that they could be at whatever was worth pursuing.
Sue Nell Bohannon was born on July 5, 1933 in Holdenville, Oklahoma to James Alvin and Lucille Bohannon. The family business was retail and Sue Nell and her sister Patricia Ann Funderburk worked alongside their parents growing and expanding the company known then as C. R. Anthony’s. Never reticent to shy away from attention, Sue Nell was crowned Little Miss Osage County in 1939. No doubt this experience served as the foundation for a life time love for fashion, clothes, jewelry, makeup and ever changing new hairstyles.
In 1955, Sue Nell received her Bachelor of Science from Baylor University and was licensed to practice nursing the same year. She specialized in Obstetrics and found great joy in assisting new life into existence. She was fiercely proud of her profession and stood her ground against those she perceived as a threat to the quality of care that her patients should receive. In 1978, Sue Nell received her Masters of Science from Texas Woman’s University. She held both academic and management positions during her professional career. In retirement, Sue Nell volunteered for the Red Cross and at Texas Children’s Hospital.
Sue Nell never forgot the spiritual principles that were instilled in her by her parents. To help her never “stray from the word of the Lord”, Sue Nell was the beneficiary of the teachings of Mary Williams, beloved domestic, friend and spiritual compass for many years.
In 1955, Sue Nell married Sam Martin Yates, Jr. Three children were born during this 28 year union. Sam Martin (Trey) Yates, III of Houston, Texas, Kimberley Sue Williams of College Station, Texas and James Burke Evans Yates of Houston, Texas. This marriage ended in divorce and in 1987, Sue Nell married John Sumrall Hearn. When Sue Nell married John, she was blessed by the additions of John
Mark ( & Leslie) Hearn of Dallas, Texas, Ruth Juanita Hearn ( & O’Brien) Stanley of Tahlequah, Oklahoma and Rebecca Hearn ( & Caetano ) Sequeira of Westchester, Ohio to her now extended family. Sue Nell and John travelled the world together and built a rich and satisfying life in Austin, Texas. After their move from Austin to Katy, many joyful Sunday afternoons were spent in the home of John and Sue Nell together with most of their blended offspring, grandchildren and great grandson Aiden Sevcik and great granddaughter Emma Sue Laughton.
On December 19, 2020, John made his transition.
Sue Nell soon followed. She passed peacefully in her home and in the loving arms of her granddaughter and best friend, Sarah Elizabeth Williams of Katy, Texas.
Sue Nell’s life celebration will be held April 17, 2021 at 1:00 pm. in the afternoon at Unity of Houston, 2929 Unity Drive in Houston. The service will also be available online.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to the American Nurses Foundation, P.O. Box 504342, Saint Louis, MO, 63150-4342.
Please visit Sue Nell’s online memorial tribute at www.bradshawcarter.com where memories and words of comfort may be shared electronically with her family.