Sue Mchalffey Ashlock

Sue McHalffey Ashlock of Jonesboro, Arkansas was born August 29, 1950 and left this world for streets of Gold on June 14, 2013 at 3 pm at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Arkansas . She walked this earth for 62 years and 9 months and 17 days. With a smile and joy in heart she lived life to the fullest and sought to make the world better than she had found it. Great is the loss of earth and great is the gain of heaven in her passing.

Sue was born in Poughkeepsie, Arkansas and she was a true country girl with a great Arkansas heritage. All who knew Sue through the years would say of her, “she is full of life and joy . She brightens the day and is a true friend and dear one. Most beloved”. Sue graduated from Arkansas State University in 1970 with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing and certified as an Registered Nurse. She continued for her entire career to be trained and educated in all necessary medical information. She was always learning, growing, and serving. She was, a professional Nurse in the truest sense of the term. She gave it her all and loved her patients and tried with all her being to make life better for all she served. For the majority of her medical career she was the Nurse and Medical Assistant to Dr. Richard Burns. In her last years of her career she worked as a Nurse and Medical Assistant to Dr. Mark Sifford. Through the years of life she has received numerous awards and honors from the Medical World. She was elected President of the Arkansas Association of Medical Assistance in 1983-84 and served in this office with distinction. It was a year of hard work for her but, she gave it her all to make her profession even better. She was known as one who took a very personal interest in all the patients, calling them by name and always realizing that the disease did not define the person. She believed you should always treat the patient with absolute respect. Treating the patient was job one for Sue Ashlock. Family said of her, “she was born a caregiver”. She cared for all her family and all her patients with a very personal touch. She was extremely thorough, and was known for identifying illnesses and health issues others overlooked. She went out of her way to help patients get medicine they could not afford, always striving to be the best at her craft. In the 1990’s she went on three medical mission trips to Guyana, South America, and jumped right into the hard work of caring for some of the poorest people in the world. She did so freely and lovingly.

Sue Ashlock was preceded in death by her beloved father, Buel McHalffey and beloved mother Jane McHalffey. She is also preceded in death by a brother, Chris McHalffey and a brother- in -law, Craig Mayes.
Sue loved all her family so dearly and was devoted to them all. Sue Ashlock is survived by, her faithful and loving husband, David Ashlock of the home. David and Sue were married May 29, 1970 by Robert Lyles at the Bay Church of Christ. They had enjoyed 43 years of faithful marriage together. Sue is also survived by her loving son, Dr. Lance Ashlock of Memphis, Tn., beloved daughter, Shannon Schafer of Jonesboro, grandchildren, Dallon and John Luke, sisters: Janie Teague and husband Jackie, Debbie Penna and husband James, Brenda Mayes , Stephanie Owens and husband David, brother Ron McHalffey and wife, Summer, and brother Don McHalffey, as well as many nieces and nephews. Sue is also survived by many close medical associates whom she had worked with for over 35 years. In addition, she is survived by many friends. Sue made friends easily and there are many that call her, friend. Finally, she is survived by many patients that she helped over the years and a vast host of dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
David and Sue had enjoyed all their life together as Christians and members of the Church of Christ. In these last few years they were members at the Valley View Church of Christ, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Sue loved God and the Lord Jesus Christ and was most reflective in Bible study and striving to know the Lord and follow Him. You could see Christ living in her by her smile, soft words and tender touch toward those in need.
Blessed is the memory of this dear, lovely lady who gave her all to make the world a better place. Arrangements will be handled by the Emerson Funeral Home of Jonesboro and visitation will be at the Emerson’s Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, June 16, 2013 from 2 pm to 4 pm. Funeral Services will be Sunday, June 16, 2013 at 4 pm. Burial will be at the Nettleton Cemetery, Jonesboro. Allen Ashlock, Sue’s nephew, will be giving the funeral address.
Pallbearers: Brain Penna. Josh Mayes. Jared McHalffey. Spencer Owens. Michael O'Donohue. Sam Hiser. Honorary Pallbearers: the staff of Clopton Clinic.
The family wishes to acknowledge with grateful appreciation the following: the Clopton Clinic and their medical staff for their loving care of Sue and for doing all in their power to try to give her more time and save her life. To the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro for their tender care of Sue in her last days and hours. A special thanks to Dr. Mark Wood and Dr. Marc Monte and to nurses Melba Thomas, Keri Sears , Tracy Ashburn. The family expresses appreciation to the body of Christ for their fervent prayers , love and concern for Sue and her family. Appreciation is expressed to all the medical staff and devoted friends through the years for their prayers and love and goodwill.
If you would like, you may leave a lasting memorial, and may give to any of the following as they were dear to Sue.
St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Memphis, Tn, Valley View Church of Christ, Jonesboro, Ark, Flow and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, the Children’s Homes in Paragould, Ark, The American Cancer Society, or the Restoration Ranch-Drug-Alcohol Rehab Center, Tuscumbia, AL.
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” (Rev. 14:13).