Susan (Susie) McClung Culpepper, 74, passed away peacefully at her home with family members at her side on July 8, 2026, after battling pancreatic cancer.

She was the daughter of Dr. John H. McClung and Charlene M. McClung, both of whom predeceased her in death.

She is survived by her husband, Robert (Bob) S. Culpepper; their four children, Sam C. Cardozo (Genevieve) of Austin, Texas, Julia C. Garner (Thomas) of Wilmington, N.C., Anne C. Widener (Scott) of Charlottesville, and Scott B. Culpepper (Carrie) of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and eight grandchildren, namely Parker, Hudson, Charlie, Anna, Stuart, Mack, Marguerite, and J.J. She is also survived by her four sisters and brother, Patti McClung of Boise, Idaho, Nancy McClung of Hendersonville, N.C., Marney McClung of Hendersonville, N.C., Barbie Call of Harrisonburg, and Jay McClung of New Kent.

Susie received her undergraduate degree (BA) from Queens College, Charlotte, N.C., in early childhood education and English literature and later received her master’s degree (MA) in early childhood education from the University of Virginia.

She started her teaching career at the UVAChild DevelopmentCenter in Charlottesville, where she served as lead teacher. She then taught at St. Anne’s-Belfield School, also in Charlottesville, where she served as its first preschool director and lead teacher. 

She returned to Lexington when she married her husband Bob and for the next 10 years taught at what is now Southern Virginia University, serving as division chair, early childhood instructor, preschool director and lead teacher of the preschool program.

Over the years, she also taught at Central Elementary, the Norfolk Academy in Norfolk, Sedgefield Elementary and Elizabeth Lane Elementary in Charlotte, N.C., where she was named Teacher of the Year. 

When she retired from full-time teaching, she continued to serve as a substitute teacher for Central Elementary, Waddell Elementary, and Lylburn Downing Middle School on a regular basis because teaching was her passion and she loved being with the children she taught. In her spare time she enjoyed swimming, gardening, and cooking delicious meals. She was a magical teacher and a wonderful person who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A celebration of life will be held at a time and place to be announced at a later date.

Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home and Crematory.