Olivia Sue Bowden Lashley was born in Alabama on July 16, 1944, the third of 8 children of Frances Manring Bowden Tarlton. Olivia Sue grew up in Lake Wales, Florida where she attended Hillcrest Elementary and graduated from Lake Wales High School.
After graduating high school, she was crowned Miss Lake Wales in 1960. After going into the work force as a secretary, Sue then met William Vernon Lashley at a revival at Westside Baptist Church in Lake Wales. They married in 1965 and moved to Winter Haven. Later that year, she gave birth to her first child Christopher Brian. The following year, the couple was blessed with their second child, Carla Suzanne. In 1972, she gave birth to her youngest, Michael Dwayne.
Sue loved her family. Being one of eight children, she enjoyed spending time with her family. They spent a lot of time together celebrating life through playing games on Saturday nights to fishing all day long on the pier, to celebrating birthdays with their children. Her favorite thing was being a mom. As the kids started growing up you would most likely find her cheering one of them on at the football field to the baseball field, or at a dance recital.
Sue was a quiet but strong woman and taught her children how to be strong as well. As they grew up and got married they gave her the best thing children can give their parents. Grandchildren! The happiest time in her life was time spent with her grandchildren. They were the joy of her life! She was blessed with nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren whom she loved with all her heart.
She is survived by her siblings: Jeannie Bowden, JoEllen Brogdon (John), Buddy Bowden (Diane), and Yvonne Warren. Her children: Chris Lashley (Kathy), Suzanne Shattler (Wes), Mike Lashley (Shannon). Her grandchildren: Josh Williams (Tiffany), Danyel Lashley Ward (Eric), Bryce Lashley, Brooke Lashley, Kristy Shattler Lindamood (Joe), Kelly Shattler Mutters (David), Katie Shattler, Tylor Lashley, Brittany Lashley. Her great grandchildren: Jayden Williams and Jacoby Williams