Sue Altman

Sue Cobb Altman, age 88, rollated into heaven on February 11th with her usual speed – the same speed she drove her 1972 Dodge Dart down Hwy 90 to Pearlington, drove her 2008 Buick down the back roads of the Magnolia Community in Perkinston and zoomed down the halls of Trinity and later, the Arrington…full throttle and hammer down. Although Sue was always in a hurry to get somewhere, she always took time to put on her lipstick and brush her hair, something she instilled in her daughters.

Sue Anne Cobb was born on August 7, 1937, in Natchez, Mississippi to Gladys Leila Scott and Silas Daniel Cobb, who died suddenly when Sue was only 7 years old. Gladys and Sue moved to Wiggins, Mississippi in 1946. Sue was popular with her peers, attending dances and participating in school plays and the glee club. She graduated from Wiggins High School as Salutatorian in 1955 and attained her Associates Degree in Secretarial Science at Perkinston Junior College, where she merited laurels as a collegiate debater and met her first husband, Roy Strickland. While he attended law school, Sue worked at Gathright-Reed Drugstore on the Square and later as secretary to the Dean of the School of Education at Ole Miss. Upon return to Wiggins, they started their family. Sue worked as the Church Secretary for the Wiggins United Methodist Church under Rev. William Dement and in the Stone County Agent’s office. After her marriage to Roy ended in 1970, in 1971, Sue married Harlan G. Dean, Sr. and moved to Pearlington, Mississippi. She worked for the Sea Coast Echo newspaper in ads, and later for Gex, Gex and Phillips law firm. She worked as the Secretary to the Superintendent of Education for Hancock County School District for 20 years and Executive Secretary to the President of the Gulf Coast Community College from 1994 until she retired in 2000. She married John A. Altman, Jr. in 1999, and they lived happily ever after until John’s death in April, 2016. With John, Sue toured Europe, which was the most exciting travel of her lifetime.

Sue was a timeless beauty with a flair for dressing and accessorizing. Not surprisingly, she was elected the Queen of the Forest for Stone County in 1955. She was active in the Methodist Church, attending both the Wiggins First United Methodist Church and later the Pearlington United Methodist Church and Wesley Methodist Church. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Miriam Chapter # 67 and a Lifetime Member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Alumni Association. Alongside her husband John, Sue actively participated in CrimeStoppers, economic development, fire safety coordination, and water utility board meetings in Stone County, Mississippi.

In 2020, Sue moved to the Golden Triangle to be closer to her youngest daughter, Michelle. Although Sue had a stroke in 2021, she recovered quickly and assumed her final role as ambassador to senior citizens and campaigned up and down the halls of Trinity Retirement Community during Michelle’s 2022 judicial campaign. Sue loved bingo and dominos—in general, she loved winning—and absolutely doted on her teacup chihuahua, Theo. She always had a kind word and a smile for others.

A Celebration of Sue’s life and legacy will be held Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Wesley Methodist Church, 511 Airline Rd., Columbus, Mississippi, with visitation from 1:00 to 2:00. Rev. Justin Pender will officiate.

In addition to her parents, Sue was predeceased by her husband of 16 years, John A. Altman, Jr., and a son, Mark Bedford Strickland. She leaves as her most treasured legacy her daughters, Sylvia Blackwell and Michelle Easterling (Thomas), and a son, Scott Strickland (Lisa), grandchildren Brandon Strickland (Jessica), Bradley Strickland (Jordan), Brentley Strickland (Kasey), Geoffrey Strickland, Christian Strickland (Emily), Word Strickland, Seth Blackwell (Sidney), Blythe Blackwell, Grayson Easterling, and Jack Easterling, and 13 great-grandchildren. She also leaves many special friends, including Willie Houston, Carole Eubanks, Dolly Madestke, Dixie Dukemenier, Joan Thomas, Greg Keller, and Teresa Dearman.

Sue’s family is incredibly grateful for Dr. Navid Dara, Jeana Whitacre, Dr. Clifton Scott, Baptist Hospice and Nurse Anna Scott, and her caregivers, especially Betty Davidson, Katrina Kelley, Lula Randle, Cynthia Matthews, Latisha Chandler, India Barry and many people who made her last years special at Trinity Retirement Place and The Arrington.