Sue White Harlan

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Sue White Harlan, 90, resident of Roberts Bend Road, died March 25, 2024, at Poplar Estates Assisted Living in Columbia. 

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, March 29, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Reverend Terry Peery and Reverend Lucinda Sharp officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery.  The family will visit with friends on Thursday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to St Luke United Methodist Church, 606 Santa Fe Pike, Columbia, TN 38401.  Online condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Born June 17, 1933 in Maury County, TN, she was the daughter of the late Earley Reed White and the late Ida Mae Chumley White. She graduated from Columbia Central High School in 1951. During her Senior year she was president of the Columbia Chapter of the Future Homemakers of America.   On January 6, 1952, she married her high school sweetheart, James Walker “Pete” Harlan, Sr. and they stayed married until his death in 2017.  She worked for the Weather Tamer Company in the office for many years. She also worked several years for the Gibson Greeting Card Company. After retirement she enjoyed working in her garden, fishing, shopping, traveling, and caring for her hummingbirds. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  

Mrs. Harlan was a longtime member of St. Luke United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School and was Sunday School Superintendent for many years.

She is survived by her son, James Walker “Buddy” (Marilyn) Harlan, of Columbia; daughter, Della (Gerald) Matlock, of Columbia; grandchildren, Lori (Josh) Thomas, Emily (Richard) Ferguson, Amanda (Tracy) Turman, James C. (Stephanie) Harlan, Alan (Tiffany) Romine; great-grandchildren, Daphne Thomas, Violet Thomas, Zachary Thomas, Jackson Turman, Landon Turman, Hudson Turman, Levi Harlan, Chloe Romine, Morgan Wood; and several nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Emma Graves, Deamie Priest, and Earline Prince.

Pallbearers will be James C. Harlan, Alan Romine, Richard Ferguson, Josh Thomas, Tracy Turman, Jim Pennington, Harlan Dabney, and David Priest. Honorary pallbearers will include Van and Aileen Schwendimann, the members of St. Luke United Methodist Church Adult I Sunday School Class, and Dr. Paul Perryman.

The Family would like to express a special thanks to the staff at Poplar Estates Assisted Living, The Staff at NHC Columbia, and the staff at Gentiva Hospice for their care of “Miss Sue” and her family.