Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

October 8, 2025

Susan Tuggle Lassiter, 87 of Charlotte, NC, died peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Susan was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Born in New York City on January 25, 1938, Susan was the daughter of Allan Davis Tuggle and Dorothy Brandenburg Tuggle. The Tuggle family relocated to Charlotte in 1941. Susan attended Eastover Elementary, AG Middle, and Myers Park High School. She graduated from St. Mary’s in Raleigh, but enjoyed keeping up with her Myers Park classmates and followed the BBB’s until her death. Susan attended Stephens College in Missouri, and was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and it was at the Tri Delt house that she first laid eyes on her future husband… “Mr. Saturday Night”. Susan married the love of her life, Jacob Donnell Lassiter, in 1959. They were married for more than 65 years.

Susan was a faithful and active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. She supported the church in many ways including as Junior Warden of the church vestry, Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, and garden volunteer. For many years Susan and a team of St. John’s parishioners prepared and served Thursday lunch at the Urban Ministries soup kitchen. Susan was instrumental in the establishment of the current church columbarium. As the story goes, she asked the rector what he knew about columbariums and quickly found herself in charge of the project. In her later years, Susan especially enjoyed Wednesday night suppers, book club, and the Tuesday healing service. She modeled Christian life and service for her family.

Susan loved the outdoors and staying active. She was an avid gardener and spent years creating a beautiful woodland garden. In 1999, her garden was featured on the Wing Haven Garden Tour. She loved collecting unusual plants and “talking shop” with other gardeners. In her later years, one of her favorite pastimes was sitting quietly on the screened porch with Don watching the birds. She and Don were long-time members of the Charlotte Country Club. Susan swam a mile almost every day for most of her adult life, and she loved playing both tennis and golf. Susan especially enjoyed hiking, camping, and traveling with “the Lerts” and maintained close friendships with this special group of women all her life. 

Susan was a voracious reader and supported the public library system. She loved British mysteries and regularly checked the Stop,You’re Killing Me! website for new books and authors. Her favorite place to read was the front porch hammock at her home in Litchfield Beach. The hammock was also a wonderful place to play Twenty Questions with the grandchildren or just “rest her eyes” if no one was looking. Susan and Don spent many happy years in Litchfield Beach with friends and family.    

Susan was smart, curious, and a life-long learner. She closely followed world events and read the Wall Street Journal daily. She was active in the Charlotte Bridge Association where she quickly earned “Life Master” status. She also loved any kind of puzzles…jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, even the daily online Wordle game!

Fiercely protective of her family and friends, Susan will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Susan is survived by her three daughters: Kelly Safran (Jim), Sharon Keenan and Martha Sewell; seven grandchildren: Sarah Cranford (Drew), Anne Blair (Kenny), Davis Keenan (Kate), Matthew Keenan (Molly), Jake Keenan, Lee Sewell (McCauley) and Hannah Sewell; and 5 great grandchildren, Liam, Riley, Maddie, Ellie, and Rose. She also leaves behind a nephew, Allan Ray Tuggle, whom she loved dearly. 

Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her two siblings, Michael and Rebecca; and her parents, Allan and Dorothy. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 25th at 11:00 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1623 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC, 28226.  A reception at the church will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. John’s Endowment, c/o St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1623 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC, 28226 or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204; (704-641-7606) Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com