Sue Elizabeth Raley Fortson of Apple River, IL passed away on Monday February 10, 2025 at Midwest Medical Hospital in Galena, IL. She was born in Mitchell, GA on June 17th 1939 to Floyd Elijah and Carolyn Elizabeth Hattaway Raley. Sue attended Young Harris Junior College for 2 years (1957 to 1959) where she met her husband. She earned her degree from the University Of Georgia (UGA) in 1961. She married John Richard Fortson on August 27 1961 in Georgia, and later moved to Carrollton TX. They had 2 sons, Rick and Mark, before relocating to Illinois in 1970.

Sue enjoyed cooking, singing, leading church choir, teaching piano and music therapy. In the late 1970's she began her real estate career in Wheaton and went on to become one of the life-time achievers at Re/Max with a career spanning over 30 years.

Sue is survived by her son John Richard "Rick" (Susan) Fortson Jr.; four grandchildren: Drew Richard (Jill) Fortson, Kathleen Susan Thornton Fortson (Matt) Jagodzinski, Maggie Marie Fortson (Harrison) Gibbons, and Lauren Elizabeth Fortson; and six great-grandchildren: Nona Rose Fortson, Nour James Fortson, John Ryder Jagodzinski, Jack Henry Jagodzinski, Grace Ann Jagodzinski, and Elias Keller Gibbons.

She is also survived by her brother Joel (Diane) Raley. Sue was preceded in death by her husband John Richard Fortson, son Mark Raley Fortson, Brother Bobby (Joan) Raley, Brother Bill (Daphne) Raley, and Parents Floyd Elijah and Carolyn Elizabeth Hattaway Raley.

A vistiation will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, Illinois 60187, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. with a memorial service to begin at 3:00 p.m.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and sign the guestbook at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at (630) 668-0027.