Sue Kueck

Sue Ellen Casey Kueck passed away peacefully at the Tyler Hospice Homeplace on Friday, February 11, 2005. Visitation will be held with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 13 at the Stewart Family Funeral Home on Old Jacksonville Highway. A private graveside service is scheduled for Monday, February 14 at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler. A service celebrating Sue Ellen's life will be at 1:30 p.m. at Green Acres Baptist Church with the Rev. David Dykes and Rev. Ken Brumley officiating. Sue Ellen was born in Bryan on February 6, 1965, to Bob and Billie Jean Casey. She graduated from Bryan High School in 1983 and from Texas A&M University in 1987 with a B.S. degree. During her high school years, Sue Ellen was a member of the National Honor Society, played in the Viking band, and was a member of the Shy-Anne drill team, serving as captain her senior year. She made her profession of faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized at Central Baptist Church, the church in which she had grown up. Sue Ellen met and married Steve Kueck in Lewisville in 1993, and with their children, they moved to Tyler in 1994. She took an active part in community, church and school endeavors. As a member of Green Acres Baptist Church, she served as a Sunday School teacher. Sue Ellen was rarely without a volunteer position in her children's schools, serving as art mom, library volunteer, homeroom mother, and numerous PTA officer positions, including PTA President. She also worked as a sales representative for Catherine Rebecca clothing for girls in Tyler, as well as other East Texas towns and Bryan. Sue Ellen was diagnosed with brain cancer in the summer of 2003. She courageously continued her activities and especially enjoyed her children's sporting events until her illness prevented her attendance. A friend has said, "True to form, she proved to be strong and courageous and served as an example for each of us when facing adversity." In 2003, Sue Ellen received the PTA Life Membership Award and in 2004, she was honored with the National PTA Lifetime Achievement Award, which is the highest honor that PTA can bestow, given to a person who has provided outstanding service for children. In addition to volunteer positions in the public schools, Sue Ellen also served on the TISD Facilities Committee, helped establish Tyler United Campaign, and was a board member of Parents for Public Schools. In 2003, she and her husband, Steve, received the first annual Advocate Award presented by PPS. According to a fellow PTA member and friend, "Sue Ellen is one of the most purpose driven people I have ever known, focusing on improving education for our children and upgrading the facilities in our schools. She also is diligent in making sure those at the helm of TISD keep their sights on this same goal, and has not been hesitant in reminding them if they veer off track!" Kristen Baldwin, a member of the TISD school board said of Sue Ellen, "As a Christian, I know she tries to follow God's will for her life, and it shows. She has been a catalyst for an incredible amount of good in this district. Although she may not always be the lead person, she is somewhere in the background not wanting to be noticed or recognized. I continue to be blessed by her." Henry Dennard, Past President for Parents for Public Schools, said of her, "I have seen Sue Ellen at work for the children of Tyler ISD for several years, and I can think of no one who has worked harder or been more passionate about the educational welfare of our kids. She is an example to all of us of what commitment of children is all about." Sue Ellen is survived by her husband, Steve Kueck and their children, Shelby Laird, Travis Laird and Sydney Kueck, all of Tyler. Her parents, Bob and Billie Jean Casey of Bryan; brother and sister-in law Robert and Julia Casey and their three children, Tanisha, Melvin, and T.D. of Brenham also survive her. In addition, she leaves her father-in-law, Bob Kueck, sister-in-law, Pam Gabriel and her husband Matt, and their daughter Mary Birdsong, all of Tyler, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, and innumerable friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Shotts, Mitch Cullen, John Rickman, Larry Boyd, Jim Clark, Russell Korthauer, Dale Crawford, Mark Humphries, Tim Fullen, Bob Carpenter, Howard Hefner, and Andy Guinn. Memorials may be made to Rose Capital West Little League, P.O. Box 7241, Tyler, Texas 75711, TISD Foundation, P.O. Box 2035, Tyler, Texas, 75710, or the charity of one?s choice.

Sue Kueck

February 6, 1965 - February 11, 2005