Carlettie (Sue) McCown

Carlettie (Sue) Elizabeth McCown, age 74, of Bellaire, Michigan unexpectedly passed away November 9, 2025 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City following complications from a recent car accident. Sue was born in Detroit on November 23, 1950 to her parents, Carl and Helen Oswald and grew up with 5 siblings. After graduating high school, she attended Elim Bible Institute in Lima, New York where she met the love of her life, Timothy McCown. Tim and Sue married on July 15, 1972 in Roseville, Michigan. After a time in ministry, they moved to Michigan, settling in Bellaire in 1986. Together they raised three children, Chris, Stephanie, and Tamara.

Sue lived a full life, pursing many interests. Following a career as a legal secretary, in order to spend more time with her children, she opened a daycare called Little Arrows. She then worked at MSU extension in family nutrition while also serving as an AmeriCorps member. After retiring from MSU extension in 2011, she learned her granddaughter was diagnosed with dyslexia. This set her on a new path of starting her own business tutoring children with dyslexia, called New Shoes Tutoring. Her most recent business pursuit was creatively named Oma’s Last Stand where she combined her passion for cooking and her love for her German heritage in making springerle cookies. These unique cookies were a labor of love for her family and friends which she wanted to share with her community.

Throughout Sue’s life, she prioritized family and friends by building traditions and experiencing life to the fullest. Sue made sure that every holiday was special, creating a detailed menu that she happily made come to life. She always looked forward to taking her annual girl’s trips to Frankenmuth as well as the Upper Peninsula with her husband Tim to see the lighthouses and the Lake Superior waves. Every summer when the grandkids were together, Oma would host “cousin’s camp” to make the summer vacation memorable. Most importantly, her love for Jesus was her guiding light in life, reflected in her love for her family and friends. Sue’s love reached many people, young and old. She would want to be remembered for her love of Christ and for her family.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Helen (Doughty) Oswald and her brother Roger Oswald. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Tim McCown; her three children, son Chris (Sarah) McCown; daughters Stephanie McCown and Tamara (Greg) Molby; her grandchildren Heidi (Chris) Biehl, Jaden, Mitch, Elias, Denali, bonus granddaughters Sierra, Nevada, Gwyn, and Daphne and her siblings Denny (Kathy) Oswald, Michael Oswald, Stephanie (Ed) Oswald and Phil Oswald and many nieces and nephews. Sue will be missed dearly but we are at peace that she is in restored health, at home, dancing with Jesus.

Arrangements are in the care of the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Pleas sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.