Pawleys Island ~

Sue Bentley Varn, 82, passed away on January 19, 2025, at Inlet Coastal Resort in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Mrs. Varn was born September 2, 1942, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Robert Logan Bentley and Edith Hoffman Bentley.

Sue graduated from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and then attended the University of Virginia School of Nursing. It was in Williamsburg where she met her husband of 59 years, Dr. George Holland Varn.

Sue and George moved to Georgetown, South Carolina in 1970. She worked as a hospice nurse with Tideland Community Hospice for over 15 years and volunteered for several years thereafter. Sue also volunteered as a Sunday school teacher at Duncan Methodist Church.

Sue was an extremely avid and talented gardener, always having fresh vegetables spread across the kitchen counters, and was always willing to share with anyone stopping in for a visit. Her tomatoes were unrivaled most years in taste and quantity. She also enjoyed cross-stitching, spending time sailing North Inlet, Winyah Bay, and the local rivers with her family, and was an excellent cook. Sue enjoyed travel, when time allowed, and one of her absolute favorite places to visit was Williamsburg, Virginia as she loved anything involving the Colonial period.

She was a very loving and loyal mom, wife, and friend. She could never get enough time with her grandchildren as they were growing up on the creek, and loved to spoil them with sweet treats. She had a true dedication to and deep appreciation of all of her dearest friends, especially those in her supper club and lunch bunch. It was those gatherings that perhaps she missed the most when she was no longer as mobile and able to attend.

She is survived by her two sons, Mark H. Varn (Amanda) of Mount Pleasant and Eric B. Varn (Kate) of Pawleys Island; one daughter, Sharon V. Groat (Geoff) of Charleston; six grandchildren, Scott Varn, K. Logan Varn, William Varn, Katherine Varn, Eliza Groat, and Suzanne Groat.

Sue was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. George H. Varn.

The family is most grateful to the staff of Inlet Coastal Resort and Agape Hospice for their tireless efforts and the wonderful, loving care they provided.

A graveside service will be held for the family on January 25, 2025, in the cemetery at Union Methodist Church, with Rev. Furman Buchanan officiating. The church is located at 8209 Rose Hill Rd., Georgetown, SC. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday, January 24, 2025, in the Downtown Chapel of Mayer-Ethridge Funeral Home, 222 St. James St., Georgetown, SC 29440.

In lieu of flowers, memorials or donations may be given to Duncan Methodist Church, Union Methodist Church, or Tidelands Community Hospice.