Sue Hahn Reneke

Sue Hahn Reneke, 93, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2026.

Born on April 21, 1933, in Cranberry, North Carolina, Sue was the daughter of the late Ben and Hattie Sue Sutton. She spent her formative years in the Hendersonville area, a place that remained forever close to her heart. Sue took great pride in her family's deep roots in Western North Carolina, where the Sitton family were among the early settlers in and around Mills River. The mountains, traditions, and people of the region shaped much of her life and remained a constant source of joy and inspiration.

Sue graduated from Hendersonville High School and later completed two years of business school in Raleigh, North Carolina. Throughout her life, she was actively involved in numerous community organizations and was known for her willingness to serve others, build friendships, and contribute wherever help was needed.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Sue shared a beautiful life with her beloved husband, Jim Reneke, who preceded her in death in 2024. Jim was instrumental in encouraging Sue's passion for watercolor painting and remained her greatest supporter and cheerleader. Their shared dedication to University Lutheran Church in Clemson, SC, reflected the deep faith that guided both of their lives. Together, they formed lasting friendships and found great fulfillment through their church community.

Sue was a gifted, self-taught watercolor artist whose talent touched countless lives. During her years at Clemson Downs in Clemson, SC, she generously shared her gift by teaching watercolor classes to fellow residents. Her classes became so popular that sign-up sheets often filled within hours. Sue found great joy in encouraging others to discover their own creativity, and many treasured both her instruction and friendship.

Beyond her artistic talents, Sue had a passion for tennis and was an avid player throughout the 1980s. She competed on numerous tennis teams, where she forged enduring friendships and created many cherished memories. The same enthusiasm, perseverance, and love of people that defined her artwork were evident on the tennis court, where she enjoyed both the competition and the fellowship that surrounded the game.

Her love for Western North Carolina remained evident throughout her life. She cherished the annual Apple Festival, fondly remembered horseback riding as a child, and never tired of the beauty of mountain laurel blooming across the mountains each spring. Whether through her artwork, stories, or travels, Sue celebrated the culture and natural beauty of the place she called home.

Sue is survived by her children, Carol Kilpatrick (Don), Baxter Hahn (Tracy), and Susan Biggers (Greg). She was a proud grandmother to Brittany Kilpatrick (John Epting), Christopher Kilpatrick, Austin Kilpatrick, Baxter Hahn IV (Katie), Natalie Coxe (Ragland), Alex Biggers, and Trent Biggers (Montana), as well as a loving great-grandmother to Tripp, Biff, Gilly, Lillian, and Sutton. She is also survived by Jim's children from his first marriage: Paul A. Reneke, Margaret E. Reneke, Stephen E. Reneke (Jennifer), and Laura Reneke, along with grandchildren Ethan and Eliza, whom she loved like her own.

In addition to her husband, Jim, Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Ben Sutton and Hattie Sue Sutton, her brother, Ben J. Sutton, and late husband Lloyd Baxter Hahn, Jr., who, together with Sue, raised their family on their beloved Sugar Hill Farm in Sugar Tit, SC.

Sue will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, creativity, unwavering faith, and deep love for family. She possessed a gentle spirit, an artist's eye for beauty, and a great love of the Lowcountry, especially Edisto Island, SC, where Sue and Jim perfected their skills in camping. Her legacy lives on through the family she cherished, the friends she inspired, and the countless paintings that reflected her love of God's creation.

The family thanks the residents and staff of Clemson Downs, the wonderful staff on the third floor at South Bay Shem Creek, as well as MUSC Hospice Bayada.

A celebration of Sue's life will be announced by the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to University Lutheran Church (UniLu), 111 Sloan Street, Clemson, SC 29631, in support of its student ministries. The family is grateful for your prayers, love, and support during this time.

Have a favorite memory of Sue Reneke? We'd love for you to share it in the online guestbook. Your words can bring comfort to the family and create a collection of memories they can cherish for years to come.

“Someday I shall reach that happy place

Which He has promised to me,

I shall find sweet peace on the other side

Where the many mansions be.

Nor shall I quail when the summons come,

I have naught to fear or to hide,

No perfect work have I to present,

But my Lord, He knows that I tried.”