Susan Lee Neale, 70, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away in her home on July 6, 2025, surrounded by family and love. A devoted mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend, Susan lived a life defined by family, friends, faith, and fun.
Born on October 15 1954, Susan graduated from Tyner High School in 1972 and earned her chemistry degree magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1976. Her career began in industry at Lutex Chemicals and Krystal, but she found her true calling in the classroom. As an associate professor of mathematics at Chattanooga State from 1995 to 2020, Susan didn’t just teach math; she translated it. She had a unique gift for finding the right formula for each student. If one method didn’t work, she would try n+1 times until it made sense.
Susan faced cancer with equal parts courage and stubbornness, traits of her Southern Baptist upbringing, defying the odds for over five years. She didn’t lose a battle; she lived fully and on her own terms, spending every able minute with family and friends. Importantly for her, she fought hard enough to see the educational milestones of her granddaughters graduate middle and elementary school.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Helen Neale (1984); her father, Jack Neale (2004); and her sister, Lori (Loretta) Neale Kaiser (2006).
She is survived by her sons, Garrett Bartley (Amy) and Christopher Bartley; granddaughters Lola and Cora; sister Linda (Neale) Moore, and Linda’s children Jack Moore and Zoe Jackson (Brad), and granddaughter Emma; brother Donald Neale; nephew Trey Kaiser (Cassie Jo) and their daughter Lori Anne; her loyal dogs, Max and Molly; and so many beloved cousins and friends.
Susan loved family gatherings, road trips, crafts, photography, and flowers. She traveled widely from Europe, to Hawaii, Alaska, and nearly every state and always returning with stories and snapshots (dead trees with character!). Her life was a beautifully balanced equation.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, American Cancer Society, or the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga. There is no formal funeral service. Instead, friends and family are invited to mix, mingle, and reminisce in her honor on July 26 at Concord Baptist Church from 2:00 - 4:00 PM.