Elinor Mae Arberry

Elinor Mae Palm was born April 26, 1951, to Joseph and Nora Mae (Manning) Palm in San Diego, California - she was the second of three children born in this union. Circumstances led to Elinor and her siblings becoming wards of the State of California and they were placed in several foster homes. In 1954, Elinor and her sister Carolyn were placed in their final foster home, where they flourished under the love and care of Travis and Mollie Dunn. Travis nicknamed Elinor "Sue" which she was affectionally called from that day forward. When Sue was five years old, she was introduced to church and loved it! Sue united with Mt. Erie Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. M.H. Haywood who baptized her. She was active in Sunday School, morning worship, B.T.U., and evening service. Sue was also very active in the youth and mission departments. Sue received her formal education from San Diego City Schools and graduated from Lincoln High School. After high school Sue worked with Job Corps, was a teacher's aide, and a mail clerk with the U.S. Postal Service and Calbiochem. She also worked in production for several years before becoming a caregiver for her foster parents. Musi...[more]

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as Sue's life! She was very active in the youth choir and was named Youth of the Month in October 1967. She was inspired by Birdiola "Birdie" Braxton, the choir director at Mount Zion Baptist Church, because as Sue said, "Sis. Birdie put her all into her directing." Sis. Birdie's influence was profound because Sue cultivated the art of choir directing. She served as a choir director with Mt. Erie Baptist Church for the Youth and Young Adult Choir, Sanctuary Choir, and the Children's Choir, for a total of 40 years. Sue was also involved in the Progressive Missionary Baptist District Association of Southern California's music department. One of her highlights was traveling to Denver, Colorado with the Sanctuary and Youth Choirs to sing at Convention while Rev. Dr. Walter G. Wells delivered the message. Sue was blessed with several awards from the Music Department. She directed the Children's Choir until her health began to fail making it impossible for her to continue serving by doing the thing she loved. On February 19, 1974, Sue married Henry Clyde Arberry and from this union two children were born James DeSean and Nichelle Martrice. Sue considered herself truly blessed because she played an integral role in countless people's lives and also raised several of her nieces and nephews Katya, Ebony, Kieonie, Keyon, Keande (Roseanna),and Kurt. Sue had a quick sense of humor and loved to laugh. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, watching movies, listening to music, and studying her Bible. She was well known for giving advice. Sue loved to help as many people as she could and served as a mentor to those in need. When her health failed and she could not physically attend church, she enjoyed watching church services online. Sue was preceded in death by her foster parents Travis and Mollie Dunn, foster brother Leon Drake, and biological brother James Beavers. Sue was called home to be with the Lord on July 26, 2021, after a prolonged illness. She leaves behind to cherish her memory and celebrate her life, her children James, Nichelle, Katya, Ebony, Kieonie, Keyon, Keande (Roseanna), and Kurt all of San Diego, CA; one sister, Carolyn Dunmore of San Diego, CA; sisters-in-love Connie (Artis) Wright, Teleda Arberry, Sherry Lynn Beavers; grandchildren Jockail, James, Jr., Ali, Alaisha, Jada (Shawn), Jahsiana, Jenaya, Khalief, Kyrie, Duncan, and Emaniy; great-grandchildren Nylah and Camdon; nieces Yolanda(Mario), Marla (Jason), Sylvia, Ladell, Shannae, Shanee (Willie), Danisha, Lavern (Johnny), Cherita, Natalie, Celeste, Lelia, Shanika; nephews Antonio, Terrell, Keishawn, and Davante; best friend Shirley Davis; godsons Lamont and Tracy, a host of other relatives and many, many friends.