Susan Nancy White Driskell

Susan Nancy White was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on October 2, 1951, the first daughter and oldest child to parents Nancy Marietta White and James Lucius White. She grew up in Tuscaloosa, enjoying dance, cheerleading, and church youth organizations, graduating from Tuscaloosa High School in 1969. She attended the University of Alabama then transferred to complete her B.A. in Elementary Education at the University of Louisville. Upon returning to Tuscaloosa, she completed her M.A. in Elementary Education at the University of Alabama. Susan was a gifted and esteemed public school educator, initially as a first and second grade teacher at Vance Elementary, then as a first grade teacher for many years at Holt Elementary School, and finally as a sixth grade language arts teacher at Hillcrest Middle School. She further supported Tuscaloosa County Schools through her role on the Accreditation Committee. She was awarded Alabama Teacher of the Year in 2003. In addition to her extensive contribution to education in Tuscaloosa County, Susan was active in multiple other community organizations, including Aglaia Women’s Club, Boy Scouts of America, and the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre Board. Following her relocation to Knoxville, Tennessee, she continued her teaching career in Knox County Schools until retirement. During retirement, Susan co-led the North Hills Garden Club and engaged in several other North Knoxville community efforts. Above all of these accomplishments, Susan was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to all who knew her. She sought every opportunity to demonstrate her faith and love through volunteer service with Saint James Episcopal Church and dedicated support of Knoxville Area Rescue Mission. Her incredible gifts of humor, gregariousness, kindness, and joyfulness will be forever missed, and will serve as a legacy and a continued inspiration to every life she touched. Susan is survived by her beloved husband of 34 years, Boyce Driskell, her adoring daughters Laura Suzanne Farmer (Eric) of Thompson’s Station, Tennessee, Joanne White Wilson (Terry) of Knoxville, Tennessee, and her much loved stepson Nathan (Lynne) Driskell of Lexington, North Carolina. She is also survived by her grandson Jonah Chase Wilson of Knoxville, Tennessee, her granddaughters Abigail Suzanne Farmer and Alexandra Sidney Farmer of Thompson’s Station, Tennessee, and her granddaughter Addalynn Elizabeth Driskell of Lexington, North Carolina. She is preceded in death by her father, James Lucius White, her mother, Nancy Marietta White, her sister, Jennifer Elizabeth White, and by her precious son, David Goodman White. A Memorial and Celebration of Susan’s life will be held Saturday, February 28th, 3:30pm, at Saint Matthias Episcopal Church in Tuscaloosa (2310 Skyland Boulevard East), and all are welcome to attend. A second service will be held at a future date in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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Susan Nancy White Driskell

October 2, 1951 - February 10, 2026