Margaret "Suzie" Sue Nelon

Margaret Sue “Suzie” Penley Nelon, 83, of Emporia, KS and formerly of Swannanoa, NC, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. She was 83.

A native of Swannanoa, NC, Margaret was born on November 28, 1942, to the late George W. and Emma Morgan Penley. She was a 1961 graduate of Charles D. Owen High School and attended Gardner Webb University. Margaret was employed by Buncombe County School and drove a school bus for 20 years in Enka, Reynolds, and Owen districts. She was a former member of First Baptist Church, Black Mountain, and most recently a member of 12th Avenue Baptist Church in Emporia, KS.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Ernest Keith Nelon; infant son, Edward Keith Nelon; three brothers and four sisters.

Those left to cherish her memories are her son, Ernest Louis Nelon II (Cindy); daughter, Carmen Nelon Leeds (Greg); grandsons, Thomas and Samuel Nelon, Brian, Matt, and Parker Leeds; sisters-in-law, Vickie Matney, Linda Nelon, and Ann Mears; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home in Emporia, KS.

A celebration of life service will be held later in Swannanoa, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries, PO Box 235, Black Mountain, NC 28711 or the 12th Avenue Baptist Church, 2023 W. 12th. Avenue, Emporia, KS 66801.