of Little Rock, AR

February 18, 1937 - July 8, 2025

Joy Sue ''Suzie'' Markham was born on February 18, 1937 in Tyronza, Arkansas, the youngest child of William ''Boots'' Minor and Edith ''Deaner'' Minor. Her mother was so certain she was having a boy that she and Boots only picked out boys' names. But when Suzie arrived, Boots beamed and said, ''I didn't get a bouncing baby boy; I got a bouncing baby joy.'' And so, Joy Sue Minor was welcomed into the world.

Suzie graduated from Wilson High School in 1956 and went on to attend Arkansas State University. She later began working for Dr. Gilbert Jay in West Memphis, Arkansas. One fateful day, a young man named Jerry Markham from Mutual Collections in Memphis walked into Dr. Jay's office to discuss collecting overdue accounts. Dr. Jay, always too busy to meet, told Jerry to go over the business with his secretary instead and that secretary was Suzie.

The connection between Jerry and Suzie was instant. Though they were each seeing someone else at the time, that spark ultimately won out. They married on April 29, 1961 and soon after moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where they began their life together and started Collection Services, Inc. Their family grew with the birth of their son, Jerry Jr. (''Jay''), followed a few years later by their daughter, Julia.

Suzie and Jerry were passionate Razorback fans and rarely missed a home game in Fayetteville or Little Rock. They traveled extensively, especially through Jerry's work with Lions World Services for the Blind. Suzie once joked that on their flight to Hawaii, Jerry spent the whole time helping serve food and drinks for Lions Club members, thus walking the entire way to Hawaii.

Faith played a central role in their lives. Together, they served for more than 30 years at Immanuel Baptist Church, where their love for God was reflected in their open hearts and open home. Suzie often said her kitchen table had served people from all over the world. She loved being a Sunday School teacher for over 10 years and leading her small group sessions of Bible Study Fellowship. She had an incredible heart for others, friends, family and strangers alike. She once quietly paid for the meal of a man and his young son at a restaurant simply because she was moved by their sweet interaction. She found great joy in bringing joy to others.

Suzie is survived by her son, Jerry ''Jay'' (Cheryl) Markham; her daughter, Julia and numerous nieces and nephews whom she cherished deeply. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 50 years, Jerry Hovis Markham; her parents, Boots and Deaner Minor; her brother, Gene Minor and her sisters, JoAnn Lehr and Jewell Minor.

Suzie's legacy is one of kindness, generosity, faith and love, a life well-lived and deeply felt by all who knew her.

A visitation will be from 5:00pm until 7:00pm on Sunday, July 13, 2025 at Roller-Chenal funeral home. Funeral services will be 10:00am on Monday, July 14, 2025 at Immanuel Baptist Church with Dr. Rex Horne officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Immanuel Baptist Church or Bible Study Fellowship.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com