Billye Sue Edmiston, 79, of Port Charlotte, Florida died Sunday, October 28, 2018 at her home following a lifetime of servant leadership to others.
Sue was born August 4, 1939 to the late George and Hallia I. (Blackburn) Coleman in Pikeville, Kentucky. She moved to Port Charlotte in 1983 from Lexington, Kentucky. Sue retired from the Social Security Administration in 1990 following a 32-year career, retiring as Branch Manager of the Port Charlotte Office following service in both Fort Myers and Lexington, KY. She was one of the first female senior administrators within Social Security, a pioneer in the use of data systems, and was frequently honored by the US Government for her dedication, productivity and the efficiencies within the offices she managed. Following retirement, she then worked in senior administration at Port Charlotte United Methodist Church, where she was an active member and dedicated volunteer for nearly 35 years and has also dedicated service to Edgewater United Methodist. In fact, Sue served in leadership roles on committees at her church and as a volunteer until the final weeks of her life. She was an original member of Trinity Hill United Methodist Church in Lexington, KY.
Sue is survived by her loving family: husband, Dayton Glenn Edmiston of Port Charlotte; a daughter, Julie (Ken) Lynne James of Lakeland, FL; two sons, Julian Earl (Donna) Tackett of Lexington, KY and Kevin Wayne (Renee) Tackett of St. Augustine, FL; step-sons, Rick (Cathy) Edmiston of Pinegrove, Ontario and Michael (Tammy) Edmiston of Paris, Ontario; step-daughters, Diane (Brad) Jones of Rodney, Ontario, Lori (Duane) Wilson of Simcoe, Ontario, Robin (Bernie) Normington of Waterford, Ontario, and Debbie (Paul) Lawrence of Lockeport, Nova Scotia. Sue also leaves behind grandchildren Erin (Jason) Lynn, Megan (John) Colson, Jordan Tackett, Mackenzie Tackett and Mason Bradie Tackett of St. Augustine; Alex James and Joshua James of Lakeland; Jeremy Ison of Lexington, KY; Derek Edmiston, Lindsay Mercer, Matthew Jones, Jennica Romeo, Shawn Wilson, John Normington and Ashley Normington, all of Ontario, Canada; and Justin Watkins and Kirby Watkins of Nova Scotia, Canada; in addition to 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. In addition, she leaves behind a host of loving nieces and nephews and their families who were the children of her late sister Nevajo (Coleman) Miller and her late brother Earl Coleman.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Port Charlotte
United Methodist Church, 21075 Quesada Ave., Port Charlotte, Florida 33952. The family thanks all of the staff and members of the church for the love and support during this difficult time. In addition, the family expresses deep gratitude to so many others, including family friends Gary and Brenda Reeves; her half-brother John Coleman of Port Charlotte, and her extended family at the American Legion Post 110 in Port Charlotte for their support during her recent illness.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Tidwell Hospice, Inc., 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238; the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Foundation, 2280 Executive Dr., Lexington, KY 40505; First United Methodist Church of Lakeland, 72 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland, FL 33801; the Arc, 1050 N Davis St., Jacksonville, FL 32209, or your local charitable organization of choice. Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.