Obituary for Susan Donohue
Susan Hart Brown Donohue was delivered and named by her grandfather, Dr. William Andrew
McMahen, in Union, MS, on November 12, 1934. Susan spent her early life with her brother
Larry Brown, her mother, Alatha McMahen Brown (Union, Ms), and her father, Luther Neal
Brown (Tuscola, Ms). She enjoyed many Newton County adventures with her grandmother,
Cora McMahen, and the “Cousins.”
Susan dedicated her adult life to service. If you should find yourself with a-waltzing Matilda in
New South Wales, Australia, think of the children she taught there. If you see an irrigation canal
in Senegal, thank God for her mission work. Susan registered voters during Freedom Summer,
was instrumental in the establishment of the Edwards Street Fellowship Center in Hattiesburg,
serving area Vietnamese refugees after the fall of Saigon, and she insisted on Black History
month celebrations at her place of employment.
She was a long time member of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church, where she loved
worshipping. She felt at home in her Sunday school class. Another notable influence on her life
was her husband’s priest. Susan was grateful for Father Tommy’s example of Christian love that
transcended denominations.
Susan was an avid reader and a lifelong, self-proclaimed “yellow dog” Democrat. She also held
the position of President of the Cousins Association, Self- Appointed for her many cousins.
Susan earned a bachelor’s degree at Millsaps College and a Master’s degree from Peabody
College. She did additional graduate work at Michigan State University. Susan married John
Robert Donohue of New Orleans, Louisiana, at USM’s Danforth Chapel. After that, they became
parents to Douglas Neal Donohue (spouse: Monica) and David Michael Donohue. She adored
her grandchildren, Michaela, Dakota (Shayna), Savannah, Morgan, and John David. She was delighted
with the arrival of her great-granddaughter, Natalie Cora.
Susan wanted to be remembered for her teaching career. She worked as an educator in
Clarksdale School District, Hinds County Community College, Nepean Junior High in Penrith,
Australia, Hattiesburg High School, William Carey College, and Pearl River Community College.
As a masterful history/sociology instructor, an advocate for the underdog, a beloved wife,
cousin, mother, and “Lanny,” Susan will be greatly missed. She often spoke of heaven as an
excellent reward for Christians. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is with her Lord, Jesus
Christ. Memorials for Susan Donohue can be made to Edwards Street Fellowship Center in
Hattiesburg, MS.https://edwardsstreetfellowship.org/index.html
McMahen, in Union, MS, on November 12, 1934. Susan spent her early life with her brother
Larry Brown, her mother, Alatha McMahen Brown (Union, Ms), and her father, Luther Neal
Brown (Tuscola, Ms). She enjoyed many Newton County adventures with her grandmother,
Cora McMahen, and the “Cousins.”
Susan dedicated her adult life to service. If you should find yourself with a-waltzing Matilda in
New South Wales, Australia, think of the children she taught there. If you see an irrigation canal
in Senegal, thank God for her mission work. Susan registered voters during Freedom Summer,
was instrumental in the establishment of the Edwards Street Fellowship Center in Hattiesburg,
serving area Vietnamese refugees after the fall of Saigon, and she insisted on Black History
month celebrations at her place of employment.
She was a long time member of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church, where she loved
worshipping. She felt at home in her Sunday school class. Another notable influence on her life
was her husband’s priest. Susan was grateful for Father Tommy’s example of Christian love that
transcended denominations.
Susan was an avid reader and a lifelong, self-proclaimed “yellow dog” Democrat. She also held
the position of President of the Cousins Association, Self- Appointed for her many cousins.
Susan earned a bachelor’s degree at Millsaps College and a Master’s degree from Peabody
College. She did additional graduate work at Michigan State University. Susan married John
Robert Donohue of New Orleans, Louisiana, at USM’s Danforth Chapel. After that, they became
parents to Douglas Neal Donohue (spouse: Monica) and David Michael Donohue. She adored
her grandchildren, Michaela, Dakota (Shayna), Savannah, Morgan, and John David. She was delighted
with the arrival of her great-granddaughter, Natalie Cora.
Susan wanted to be remembered for her teaching career. She worked as an educator in
Clarksdale School District, Hinds County Community College, Nepean Junior High in Penrith,
Australia, Hattiesburg High School, William Carey College, and Pearl River Community College.
As a masterful history/sociology instructor, an advocate for the underdog, a beloved wife,
cousin, mother, and “Lanny,” Susan will be greatly missed. She often spoke of heaven as an
excellent reward for Christians. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is with her Lord, Jesus
Christ. Memorials for Susan Donohue can be made to Edwards Street Fellowship Center in
Hattiesburg, MS.https://edwardsstreetfellowship.org/index.html