Thelma Ruth Todd Sudderth

Thelma Ruth Todd Sudderth, 87, of Woodstock, GA died peacefully on April 6, 2023, at Charter Senior Living, Vinings, GA, surrounded by loved ones. Born April 16, 1935, in a log cabin built by her great grandfather in Suches, GA, she was the daughter of the late Alvin Delaperriere Todd and Zura Mae (nee Gooch) Todd. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Robert Price Sudderth. Also preceding her in death are her twin sons, James Martin and Joseph Michael Sudderth; sisters, Eddie Mae (Todd) Burke and Elsie (Todd) Daniels, and brother, Marion “Buddy” Todd.

Thelma graduated from Woody Gap High School in 1951 and enrolled in the University of Georgia at age 16. When she turned 18, she married and moved to Killeen, TX, where her first daughter was born. In Stockbridge, GA she lived and worked on Echo Valley dairy farm, and worked at the Bank of McDonough. In Sandy Springs, she and her husband Bob Sudderth, an engineer at Lockheed, lovingly raised their large, blended family, while Thelma worked as the office manager at a medical practice. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and a Girl Scout Leader, as well as a great country cook. She completed her B.S. at Georgia State in Healthcare Administration after raising her children. Thelma and Bob then moved to Woodstock, GA to her haven, “Sugar Pike,” five acres where she tended her gardens and kept bees, providing for the family by growing vegetables and flowers, including her beloved dahlias, which she sometimes sold at markets and craft shows, along with her “Sugar Pike Naturals,” handcrafted wreaths and flower arrangements. Her husband tirelessly helped her out and called her the most educated farmer in Woodstock! Thelma was also a part-time cartoonist creating, under the pen name of “Fat Grams,” a hilarious series of drawings parodying her life as a grandma. In the past few years, she established a habitat for wild flora and fauna in her back yard. Her family owned Todd’s Dahlia Farm located in the heart of the Georgia mountains in Suches. The dahlia tubers were shipped worldwide, which allowed the Todds to send their children to college. Growing up with dahlias and in the midst of nature formed her happiest memories, and she tried to recreate her rural roots at Sugar Pike. In the language of flowers, the dahlia means devotion, love, beauty, and dignity. These are some of the gifts she bestowed on her family and friends. We will remember her sweet and loving heart, her endearing shyness, her imagination, her love of reading, and her deep intelligence.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sister O’Nell “Nell” Todd Holliday, Blairsville, GA, brother, Geoge Todd, Madison, Indiana, daughters, Teresa White, Vinings, GA; Susan White McQuillan (Richard), Tucson, AZ; Cindy White, Gainesville, GA, Barbara Barnes (Hal), McDonough GA; Jerry Busey (Roger), McDonough, GA; Susan Ann Chapman, Houston, TX, beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, and many dear cousins.

A family memorial will be held at a later date.