LEWES - Susan "Sue" Natalie Raley (nee Graves), passed away peacefully on Feb. 1, 2018 at her home, surrounded by family and friends. She was born on Sept. 12, 1931 in Milford, daughter of the late Milton T. and Elsie W. Graves.
Sue was raised in Milton, graduated from Milton High School, and attended Harcum Junior College in Bryn Mawr, Pa. Following the premature death of her father in 1953, she returned to Milton to work with her mother at the family garment factory. Sue met her husband, Robert A. (Bob) Raley when he moved to town to work for Southern States. They married in 1956 and moved to Lewes Beach where they raised their three children. Sue was also an honorary mom to a tribe of children during many summers on Lewes Beach. Sandy feet, wet bathing suits, and wet dogs were always welcome. She was an avid bridge player, sporting four different games a week at the height of her playing days. Her children were known to locate Sue based on which bridge club she was playing with that day. She loved theatre and lunch outings with her friends and was devoted to her family.
In addition to her parents, Sue was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Robert A. Raley, Jr.; and her son, Robert M. Raley. She is survived by her daughters: Susan Hopkins and her husband Kenny, and Peggy Raley-Ward and her husband Sherman all of Lewes; her grandchildren: Shane Raley and Natalie Hopkins, also of Lewes; and her daughter-in-law: Jana Moore and her husband Chris Moore Ebanks. Sue also leaves behind a host of dear friends whom she considered family, as well.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. A Viewing will also be held Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018 at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Interment will follow the service at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Union Street, Milton.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Sue's memory to: the Sussex County Cancer Survivors Fund: P.O. Box 83 Nassau, DE 19969.
Please visit Sue's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com