Susan Elizabeth Mims Tipton, of Chesapeake, Virginia, passed away peacefully in her sleep and was welcomed home by her loving Savior on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. A memorial service for Susan will be held at the Hondo Methodist Church, Saturday, June 8 at 10 AM, followed by the service of Committal of Ashes at the Hondo Oakwood Cemetery. As the oldest of six children, Susan was born in San Antonio, Texas, on October 10, 1945, to Dr. Joe and Frances Fly Mims. Susan's musical gifts were evident at an early age; she had perfect pitch and began sounding out songs on the piano as a 4 year old child. Susan played for church services at the Hondo Methodist Church as a teenager, spent a summer studying piano at Harvard University, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Susan was able to use her musical gifts in church, the place she felt most at home. She was the organist at a number of churches through the years, and she wrote and composed many songs and choral anthems that were used in Sunday services. More than anything, Susan loved Jesus and she carried with her a supernatural joy and peace. You could see that in her smiles and gentle spirit. She survived a brain tumor in 1988, and an episode of Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome in 1993. Although her physical body might have been compromised, nothing could dampen her sweet spirit. Susan loved unconditionally, rarely complained and was a true picture of beauty. It was once said that there are two kinds of people, those who knew and loved Susan, and those who had not yet met her. Susan originally met her husband of 45 years, Charles Douglas Tipton, while working at her grandfather's drug store, Fly Drug Company. They then reconnected and rediscovered one another at Southwestern University. Susan once said that Charles was the melody and she was the harmony in the hymn of life that they shared. In addition to her husband, Charles, she is also survived by two sons, John Tipton and Stephen (Leesa) Tipton and a daughter, Katheryn (Aaron) Bull, and grandchildren Emily, Jay, Annalee, Allison and Audrey. Susan also leaves behind her siblings Kathy, Joe, Pat, Peggy and Mike, along with many nieces and nephews, cherished friends and a host of church family that will miss her daily.