Susan Ledbetter Allen-Blevins

Susan Ledbetter Allen-Blevins, age 68, peacefully fell asleep in the Lord on the evening of Tuesday, September 27, 2022, due to complications following surgery and long-term medical illnesses. Her husband of almost 40 years was by her side when she departed this life. 

Susan was born July 29, 1954, at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland. She was the elder child of US Navy Supply Corps Officer Captain Cecil Cary Allen and Clelia Estelle (nee Ledbetter) Allen. The family eventually returned to the Charleston, South Carolina area and Susan graduated high school from Ashley Hall in 1972. She then attended the College of Charleston for a time. She was employed for some years as a private medical secretary at MUSC. In 1978, Susan married Glen Anderson Bridgeman. To this union was born a daughter, Larkin Ryan. Glen and Susan eventually divorced.

On Christmas Day 1983, she married the husband she leaves behind, Rev. Fr. Gregory Ned C. Blevins. Ned and Susan’s legal marriage ceremony, in Charleston, was followed by a Church blessing of the marriage in Racine, Wisconsin on January 6, 1984. Thus, each year the couple celebrated the 12 Days of Christmas as their wedding anniversary.

Later in 1984, Susan and Ned’s daughter, Cary Ralston Allen-Blevins, was born. Larkin and Cary were raised in the Charleston and Columbia areas of South Carolina. For a time, Susan and her husband owned and operated a medical transcription/information service in Columbia and, briefly, in Charlotte, North Carolina. She also lived with her husband for a time in East Tennessee as he attempted to plant a mission church of the Antiochian Catholic Church in America (ACCA), to which Susan faithfully belonged and loved wholeheartedly, in the Gatlinburg area.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, aunts and uncles, and other relatives, as well as her ex-husband Glen. She is survived, first, by her most dearly beloved granddaughter, Cecilia Alexandria Newberry. CeCi was Susan’s pride and joy, her world and inseparable companion since the child’s birth. Susan is also survived by her husband; her two daughters; her brother, John Allen (Dawn) and his family of Christiansburg, VA; an aunt, Jean (Tom) Redding; many cousins, and many friends and loved ones who deeply loved her and whom she loved deeply as well. These include Victor Mar Michael Herron, Andreas Mar Cassian, and Amma Caitlin, all of the ACCA; Mother Charley, Terry Brennan, Jim McNamara, Sharon Thomas, Annie Fenley, and Diana Echols; many colleagues from the medical transcription business and their families; and those she considered her sons and daughters in spirit, including Andrew (Angelica) Webster, Richard (Dorian) Bridgeman, Richie Newberry, Smokey Bornman, Jesse Matthews, Priscilla (Johnny) Thomas, Nicole Roberts and so many other "kids" over the years. Susan leaves behind a rich legacy of faith, love, hope, compassion, and hospitality. She certainly taught her husband, he says, a great deal about what it means to love, not only those we expect to love, but others as well.

Susan’s beloved husband and family members wish to thank her physicians, other advanced providers, nurses, and everyone with whom she interacted while receiving the superior quality health care she received: first, James Dove, PA-C of Fetter Health Care Network, Summerville SC; and also, Surgeon Thomas Litton, MD and his partners and physician assistants; Nelson Ploch, MD and associated providers; and all the physicians and other advanced care providers she saw, or who saw her over the years. She was unsparing in both criticism and praise, especially behind closed doors, and always tried to be fair. May God the thrice blessed + Trinity bless all of you in all that you do and, in due time, welcome you with Susan into eternal life. May her memory be eternal.

Per her request, cremation has taken place. Tentatively, a memorial service followed by a wake will be held at a later date to be announced. 

Should anyone desire to make a donation in her memory, please do so to either Susan’s family or a non-profit of your choosing.