Sue Ananda

Sue Nancy Herbert (née Wilson), known in later years as Sue Ananda, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on May 9, 2025, at Lake Wylie Assisted Living in Lake Wylie, South Carolina. She spent her final years with the loving, devoted care of her granddaughter, Nicole Stanforth, and her husband Greg.

Born in Glasgow, Kentucky, on December 5, 1936, Sue graduated from Glasgow High School in 1955 and went on to earn her degree from Wellesley College in 1959. She returned to Glasgow and dedicated much of her professional life to teaching in the public school system, remembered by many students for her intellect and candor.

Sue had a teacher’s presence — direct and commanding — that could come across as abrasive at first, but those who spent time with her often found themselves disarmed by her honesty, drawn to her sharp mind, and deeply attached to her in the end.

In the decades that followed, Sue continued to evolve. She returned to school to study nutrition and later pursued massage therapy certification in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She found deep meaning in the friendships and community she built there — a time marked by spiritual growth, independence, and exploration. It was during this chapter of her life that she embraced elements of Hinduism and adopted the name Sue Ananda. In her later years, she moved to Black Canyon City, AZ, to be near her daughter, Nancy Kilgore. 

In 2014, she married Ken Sawyer.  Their years together brought comfort and companionship until his passing in 2020. In 2020, Sue relocated to Lake Wylie, South Carolina, where she spent her final years near her granddaughter Nicole, whose care and presence were a profound source of stability and love.

Sue delighted in reading the New York Times each Sunday, visiting with her children, and surrounding herself with anything purple. She lived with curiosity and conviction, unafraid to follow her own path.  She throughly enjoyed libraries in both Black Canyon City, AZ and also in Lake Wylie via the bookmobile coming to the Assisted Living Facility by her persuasive orchestrating. 

The family extends their deep appreciation to Agape Care of SC for their palliative care, as well as to her Hospice and Comfort Care team. Their loving support and compassionate care meant so much. 

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Anne Kilgore of Scottsdale, AZ; her son, Hiram Jefferson Herbert III of New Albany, IN; Sister Mary Cecile Wilson Garmon of Glasgow, KY; Niece, Leslie G. Sarasin of McLean, VA; and her granddaughter, Nicole (Greg) Stanforth of Lake Wylie, SC. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Evalyn Gillespie. 

A private family memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Patient With You Fund at Agape Care of SC.

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