Obituary of Betty Sue "Susie" Olmsted

Betty Sue "Susie" Olmsted (née Vanderford), aged 98, passed away on September 18, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. Born on February 3, 1927, in Afton, Oklahoma, Sue lived a rich and fulfilling life marked by her dedication to her family and her career. She was a talented seamstress and artist. Sue was a tribal member of the Cherokee Nation and was proud of her Indian Heritage.

Sue graduated from high school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and went on to further her education at Drury College and Southwest Missouri State University, both in Springfield, Missouri. She devoted many years to her career at the Missouri Department of Welfare in Springfield, where she worked until her retirement.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Ivey Mable Hill Vanderford; her first husband, Harry J. Olmsted; and her second husband, Herbert Reed.

Sue is survived by her loving children, Harry E. Olmsted and his wife Caroline of Woodbridge, Virginia, Donald William Olmsted and his wife Linda of Lenoir City, Tennessee, and Janet L. Sullivan and her husband Steve of Fort Worth, Texas; she cherished her five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held by the family at a later date. Sue’s legacy of kindness, dedication, and love will forever be cherished by those who knew her.