May 10, 1938 – April 10, 2019

NATCHEZ — A celebration of the remarkable life of Sue Fenley Meyers, 81, who died peacefully surrounded by family in Lakewood, Colo., will be 3 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 400 State St., in Natchez, followed by a gathering of friends and family at Natchez Architecture and Art Discoveries, located at 515 Main St., in Natchez.        

Ms. Meyers was born May 10, 1938, in Lufkin, Texas, the daughter of James Fenley and Jackie Wise.

She had six brothers, six sisters, two children, three grandchildren and 21 nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

She studied drama at University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette and went on to act, direct, write, promote and produce more than 200 theatrical events in her lifetime.

Sue moved to Natchez in 1970, with her two children, Kelley and Jay Meyers, to be near her family. Many people knew her from the years she was employed at Benoist Brothers, but she was also well known for her work in the Natchez Pilgrimage Pageant and Stage 67 Theatre. In 1981, she moved to Deer Park, Texas, near her childhood home, to pursue a professional opportunity as managing director of the Art Park Players Theatre. In addition to her work in adult theatre, she created a children’s theatre program, Jr. Art Park Players. This was her glory and her legacy. A number of the students have gone on to become professional writers, directors, actors, dancers and singers.

After her death, the Art Park Players established the Sue Fenley Meyers Scholarship Award in her memory, to be awarded annually.

After 23 years with the Art Park Players, Sue retired to Colorado in 2004, to be near her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother of Natchez; her father of James Fenley of Houston; two sisters, Cindy Wise McSwain of Natchez and Patsy Bryant of Houston; and three brothers, Ray Wise of Delhi, La., Donnis Fenley of Dallas and Billy Fenley of Houston.

Survivors include one daughter, Kelley Meyers Southern and husband, Brent, of Lakewood; one son, Jay Meyers and wife, Margaret Watts Meyers, of Golden, Colo.; three grandchildren, Susannah Roberts of Lakewood, Mitchell Meyers and Johnny Meyers of Golden, Colo.; four sisters, Doris Ann Benoist, Katie Wise McCarstle and Micki Wise Smith, all of Natchez, and Dianna Fenley Pitt of Houston; and three brothers, Joe Fenley of Houston, Steve Wise of Arroyo Grande, Calif., and Ernest “Bubba” Wise of Lafayette, La.

Sue Fenley Meyers was a scholar, a mentor, a humorist, a storyteller, a poet, an actress, a director and a creative force. She left all who knew her with wisdom, inspiration and laughter. Although she spent just one of her eight decades in Natchez, it was always home to her.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to: Sue Meyers Scholarship Award, 1302 Center St., Deer Park, TX 77536 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital giftfunds.stjude.org/suemeyers.