Dalton, Georgia - Susan Fickett Tuggle, age 86, passed away peacefully on June 29 at The Gardens at Royal Oaks.

Sue leaves behind a lifetime of service both at Dalton First United Methodist Church where she was a member for more than 62 years and in the community where she taught in the Dalton Public Schools and later served the Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center for many years.

Born in Chicago, Illinois on June 13, 1940, Sue spent her childhood growing up in Plainfield, New Jersey before moving to Birmingham, Alabama in 1957 before her senior year of high school. It was there, and later at Auburn University, that she met Joe Tuggle. They married in 1962, and following their graduation from Auburn, and Joe's graduation from Mercer Law School in 1964, the couple moved to Dalton to join the McCamy Law Firm. They were married for 37 years before Joe's untimely death from pancreatic cancer in 1999.

Throughout her adult life, Sue shared her creative talents for interior design and floral arranging with many and cofounded the boutique shop Adorno, making handcrafted bridal veils and accessories for brides in and around North Georgia. In her last 20 years, Sue also found a love and talent for painting, creating dozens of beautiful canvases for friends and family.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents William and Arline (Middleton) Fickett, and her husband, Joe Tuggle.

She is survived by her sons Michael Tuggle (Ginger) of Flower Mound, Texas and Jonathan Tuggle (Amber) of Atlanta; brother and sister-in-law David and Caryl Fickett of El Paso, Texas; grandchildren Matthew Tuggle of Nashville, Tennessee, Caroline Tuggle of Dallas, Texas, and Will Tuggle of Washington, DC; nieces Holly (Fickett) Pearson of Flower Mound, Texas and Kathleen (Fickett) O'Connor of Springfield, Virginia, and countless friends.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Toni Thompson, Elizabeth Hill, and everyone at Royal Oaks and The Gardens, Margeana Norris, all of her caregivers, and Amedisys Hospice for their exceptional care.

The celebration of Sue's life will be held at Dalton First United Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 15 at 11am in the sanctuary with Dr. Robin Lindsey officiating. The family will receive friends in the Atrium at the church prior to the service at 10am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Sue's memory to the Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center. www.nwgafcc.com