Lydia Sue Menzies

Lydia Sue Menzies, of Oxford, Alabama, passed away peacefully at the home of her brother in Suwanee, Georgia, on April 9, 2025 at the age of 68, following a courageous but brief battle with pancreatic cancer. While our grief is profound, we find comfort in knowing she is now reunited with her beloved mother, Nancy Sue (Morton) Ross; her sister, Mary Beth Ross Leong-Melrose; and several cherished dogs who meant the world to her. Lydia was born on April 2, 1957, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the youngest of four children born to Nancy Sue (Morton) Ross and Wallace C. Ross. Before she was even a year old, she had already embarked on a journey of travel with her family—a passion that would remain with her throughout her life. Much of Lydia's childhood was spent overseas. She lived in Whitby, Yorkshire, England (1962–63); on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands (1964–1971); and in Hilo, Hawaii, where she graduated from high school in 1975. Among the many places that captured her heart were Kwajalein, Hawaii, and Oregon—places she spoke of often and fondly. Her stories inspired a love of travel in her daughter, Kellie, who joyfully carries on Lydia’s legacy of exploration. In 1983, Lydia relocated to Portland, Oregon, where her sister Mary Beth was living at the time. There, she met and married James G. Menzies. Together they had one daughter, Kellie Sue Menzies, born in 1991. Following her divorce, Lydia moved with Kellie to Oxford, Alabama, so that Kellie could attend the Alabama School for the Deaf in Talladega. Kellie was born Deaf, but with Lydia’s unwavering support and encouragement, she thrived—becoming Valedictorian of her high school class at Alabama School for the Deaf, and later earning a dual degree in Museum Studies and Anthropology/Sociology from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. Lydia, having sacrificed many of her own ambitions, was incredibly proud of Kellie's accomplishments and found immense joy in her daughter’s success. Lydia worked for over twenty years at The Home Depot, beginning as a freight associate and later being promoted to a supervisory role overseeing several departments. Her strong work ethic and dedication helped support her family and create a stable life for Kellie. She was preceded in death by her mother, Nancy; her father, Wallace; and her sister, Mary Beth. Lydia is survived by her daughter, Kellie Sue Menzies; her two brothers, Douglas Ross and his wife Joy of Suwanee, Georgia, and Dwight Ross and his wife Patti of Mechanicsville, Virginia; as well as a large extended family of cousins, nieces, and nephews. In accordance with her wishes, Lydia was cremated on April 10, 2025. Lydia’s funeral service for friends and family in Alabama and Georgia will be held in Atlanta and is being planned for later date yet to be determined. Her ashes will then be taken to Oregon—a place she held close to her heart—and a family graveside memorial service will be held there in due course at Skyline Memorial Gardens near the place where her sister Marybeth was also laid to rest. If you wish to remember Lydia with a gift, in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society in her name.

Lydia Sue Menzies

April 2, 1957 - April 9, 2025