Cheryl Susan Hitt Johnson, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, was born October 5, 1945, in Greenville, South Carolina. Susan grew up in Liberty as the oldest child of the late Alvin and Clara Hitt alongside her late brother, Mike, and sister, Pam. Susan often spoke about her very happy childhood. Her teenage years were marked by her vibrant spirit and active involvement at Liberty High School where she was a baton-twirling majorette in the marching band, a point guard on the basketball team, and homecoming queen.

Her love for young children and education led her to the University of South Carolina. It was during this time that Susan met the love of her life, Jimmy. They married on January 28, 1966, committing to a partnership that would span six decades. Together with Jesus, Susan and Jimmy created a beautiful life, nurturing their three children with love and dedication. She was a wonderful mother who helped with Cub Scouts and Brownies, was the best team mom, and made the best fried chicken and lasagna.

Susan’s career in education was both her profession and her calling. For over 35 years, most of which were spent at McLaurin Elementary School, she enriched the lives of countless young children, guiding them with kindness and patience. Her gentle and generous spirit and commitment to caring for and loving people like Jesus does has left a lasting impact on her students and colleagues alike.

A devoted family woman, Susan always cherished the time spent with her children, the late Chris Johnson, Claire Gilbert (Michael), and Julie Lowry (Erik). Susan had many nicknames, but her most favorite name of all was Nanny. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren, AJ Lowry (Lauren), Kaitlyn Trammell (Noah), Andrew Lowry, and Carlie Henderson (Caleb), as well as her great-grandsons, Harrison and Jackson Trammell, and Canaan and Callahan Henderson. They were the greatest joys of her life. Her sister, Pam Jones (Ron), was a treasured part of her family circle, as was her niece, Caroline Jones. Susan loved her sisters-in-law, Gail Muller and Debbie Stives (Bob), and all her nieces and nephews, their spouses, their children, and their children’s children. Susan hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas for both sides of the family and often welcomed others for more than thirty years, providing the family she leaves behind with memories to last until they see her again in heaven.

A church led service to celebrate Susan’s life will be held October 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Church, located at 1021 South Ebenezer Road, Florence, SC. In lieu of flowers, friends and family may honor her life through donations to McLeod’s Hospice House or the charity of their choosing. The family would like to thank the staff of McLeod Hospital 11th Floor Pavilion and McLeod’s Hospice House for their exceptional care and compassion.

In remembering Susan, we celebrate a life filled with JOY, an acronym for Jesus Others You. She would be the first person to tell you that the best life is a life lived putting JESUS first, OTHERS second, and YOU last. That is how you live a life of true JOY. If you were blessed enough to know her and you live your life that way, you are part of her legacy.