Wanda "Sue" Ashford

After a lingering illness, Wanda “Sue” Ashford, a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to many, went home to be with her Lord Jesus on May 5, 2020.

Sue was born on February 12, 1941 in Broken Bow, Oklahoma to Marie Ybarra Clinton and Jadee (J.R.) Ashford.  She was preceded in death by both parents and brother Bobby and is survived by her sisters, Shirley Allison (David) of Sparks, Nevada, Sarah Dean (Mickal) of Elko, Nevada, Sherrie Johnson (Allen) of Bremerton, Washington and brothers, Richard Ashford of Sparks, Nevada, Michael Clinton (Cherie) of Reno, Nevada, Tim Clinton (Melissa) of Klamath Falls, Oregon and Gene Clinton (Cindy) of Henderson, Nevada and many nieces, nephews and cousins she cared deeply about.

Sue attended Mills elementary and Klamath Union High School until the family moved to Medford, Oregon where she graduated in 1960 from Medford High School. Sue studied art and received numerous managerial accreditation's and commendations during her employment career.

Sue started working for the Woolworth Company in Klamath Falls at age 18 and continued this employment partnership for 33 years. During her time with Woolworth, she was promoted to managerial positions, quality control, district manager and opened and managed stores in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, Pocatello, Idaho, Reno, Nevada Sacramento and Riverside, California.  After the closure of the Woolworth stores, she relocated to the San Diego area and worked with the Coronado Hotel in Coronado, California. After retiring she moved to Sparks, NV and then back to her hometown of Klamath Falls, OR. which she loved.

Because Sue lived in so many different cities and states, she was able to visit many scenic and interesting places where she took lots of pictures. One of her favorite and memorable trips was to Hawaii with her mother.

Like her mother Marie, Sue was an accomplished seamstress.  She made many of her own clothes, blankets and sold many beautiful and fun sewn crafts.  She maintained a booth at Keepers Corner in Klamath Falls. Before this, she and a friend had booths at many California craft fairs.  All the family and their pets were blessed with handmade scarfs, blankets, stuffed animals, animal toys for all occasions, she was so thoughtful.

Like her mom, Sue loved to bowl and developed many friendships at centers in Klamath Falls and Sparks, NV.  She was also an avid reader of all types of mystery novels, loved biographical movies and her favorite old time shows, like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Paladin, Walker Texas Ranger and Jeopardy.  She found the newer TV shows too violent but, she loved her Sci- Fi and scary movies.  The Platters remained her favorite music group whom she actually got to meet with in earlier years, Sue also loved the old church hymns. 

Sue was involved, along with other family members, in putting on the annual Marie Clinton Memorial Golf Tournament with all proceeds going towards local scholarships. She donated many special crafts for the raffles. 

Although Sue never had children of her own, throughout her life she was called to be a supporting mother to her younger siblings and always stepped in to help with her newborn siblings and other family members any time and in any way she could.  She was a good sister, mentor, teacher a designated driver for her younger siblings and other family members in years past and was an outstanding babysitter.

Sue was a strong woman of faith and in her earlier years attended the Nazarene Church and the Salvation Army church in Klamath Falls and other Christian churches in other states where she would often serve in an administrative capacity, attend bible studies and sing in the choirs.  She was such a loving, sweet, kind and generous person who loved her family and her two furry little dogs (Shelby and Ruby.) They were her kids.

Sue remained well informed and had strong opinions (political and otherwise) and could be a little feisty at times.  She was an excellent Canasta and Hearts card player and loved board games and usually won her games which she would lord over all who dared to play cards or games with her.  Sue was a lot of fun and had a great sense of humor.  She liked and cheered for the Oregon Ducks, but she didn't like the new uniform colors! She still made many Duck stuffed animals, blankets, etc., in the original colors.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Sandy Kitts for her personal home care and friendship over the past several months and the medical staff and doctors who provided home and hospital care in her final days. Sue fought the good fight and ran the race set before her and won the ultimate prize, a home in heaven. We will miss our beloved Sue who touched so many lives during her time on earth and look forward to seeing her again in her new surroundings.

Cremation arrangements were entrusted to O'Hair &Wards Funeral Chapel Klamath Falls, and a private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Marie Clinton Memorial Educational Memorial Fund and/or the Klamath County Animal Shelter.