Willetta 'Sue' Travelstead

Willetta 'Sue' Travelstead, 95, beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, passed away peacefully among family and friends on Friday, December 12, 2025, in Albuquerque, NM.

Sue was born in Carbondale, IL, on January 15, 1930, as the first born to Thelma and Johnnie McBride, followed by her brother, Charlie McBride, nearly two years later.

Sue met her husband of 60 years, James William 'Bill' Travelstead, at the age of 19 in Carbondale and they were married in the summer of 1949. Sue and Bill quickly started their family with three children. Bill's work with General Telephone (GTE) of Illinois took them to three locations in Southern Illinois (Sparta, Mt. Carmel and Marion) and eventually to the corporate headquarters in Bloomington-Normal, IL, in 1969.

While living in Normal, with her children in school, Sue used her seamstress skills to sew various styles of window treatments for her family's home. That work inspired her to begin her own business, 'Decorating with Sue.' From her home laundry room / office / workshop, Sue sewed high-quality window treatments galore for her many clients, all of which came to her from word-of-mouth recommendations and social contacts. Her success of 'Decorating with Sue' birthed the 'Decorators Mart,' a full-service interior design store offering furniture, lighting, flooring, paint and, of course, window treatments and draperies.

In 1982, Bill and Sue made the decision for Bill to retire and for them to sell Sue's business. They moved back to their Carbondale family roots to once again enjoy good 'ole Country Living. Together they enjoyed travel, caring for elderly family members, helping others with construction / decorating projects and mentoring young people and couples.

Sue was a sweet and loving soul; knowing her blessed one with kindness, gentleness....and delicious cookies, which she loved to bake and share with many! She loved God, her late husband Bill and spending time with her family and friends.

Sue is preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and parents Thelma and Johnnie. She is survived by: Son - Chuck Travelstead and wife, Ann, of Albuquerque, NM; Daughter - Sondra McCartney of Albuquerque, NM; Son - Toby Travelstead of Westcliffe, CO; Brother - Charlie McBride and wife, Doris, of Carbondale, IL; three Grandchildren - Christopher Travelstead, Benjamin Travelstead and Kaylee McCartney; and four Great Grandchildren - Miles, Ryan, Riley and Cooper, all Travelsteads.

Sue's funeral service will be held at the Grand Avenue Christian Church, 1305 E. Grand Avenue, Carbondale, at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 20, 2025. There will be a Life Celebration luncheon at the church after the service.

In lieu of flowers sent to the service, the family requests that anyone interested in doing so make a donation to a charitable organization that would honor Sue's lifetime of giving of herself in service to others. Sue was particularly fond of Samaritanspurse.org and Care-net.org.

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Sue, visit www.meredithfh.com