Effie Lou (Cheek) Aldridge

   After almost 94 amazing years, Effie Lou Cheek Aldridge passed away on Saturday, June 29th at Watauga Medical Center. 

   Lovingly known as Susie, and the youngest of 8 children, she was born on September 21st, 1930 in Rockwell, NC to Effie Bethyna Tally Cheek and James Cleveland Cheek. She had a wonderful, fun and loving childhood with her brothers and sisters and when the time came to attend college, she decided to move to Boone.

   Sue chose Appalachian State Teachers College and graduated with a Teaching Degree and later received her Masters from Appalachian State University. While in Boone, she met and married Dillard Aldridge. They had 3 children and eventually made their home in Foscoe.

   Susie was a lifelong educator and taught at Valle Crucis Elementary for most of her career. She was passionate about her animals and all animals, playing her piano, vacations at the beach, enjoying a good book, watching classic westerns, sewing beautiful clothes for herself and her children, working on colorful crochet throws to give to friends and was also a fabulous cook. There were few things that she wasn’t interested in! She committed herself to Christ at an early age and was an active member of Foscoe Christian Church for a number of years. She was also very active with The Linus Project and was a member of The Foscoe Blanketeers.

   She was preceded in death by her parents, her 7 siblings, her husband Dillard and her son, Charles Dillard Aldridge.

   Sue is survived by her daughters, Mary Sue Aldridge of Raleigh, NC and Carol Aldridge of Blowing Rock, NC and also many wonderful nieces and nephews and her beloved cat, Taz.

   She was always the optimist and will be remembered for all of her heart she shared with family and friends. She truly loved everyone of them - and if you knew her, you knew it.

   There are no services planned but a Celebration of Life will occur with details to be determined.

   In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to The Nature Conservancy in her name.

   Until we meet again Mama…I love you, Carol

Austin and Barnes is serving the Aldridge Family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Effie Lou (Cheek) Aldridge, please visit our floral store.