Susan Alexander Fretwell

Susan Alexander Fretwell passed away peacefully with friends by her side on October 18, 2024. Born in Spartanburg, SC, December 2, 1955, she was the daughter of the late Louise Williamson Fretwell and Alonzo Alexander Fretwell, Sr.

Susan attended the University of South Carolina and graduated in 1978 from Davidson College in the first class of women to be enrolled there. After a couple of years working in regional businesses, Susan was called to assume leadership in her family’s company, Spartan Grain and Mill Company, which she ultimately served as President and CEO following the death of her father. She was a pioneer as a female CEO in her community. Following the sale of the company, Susan elected to take an entirely different career path, enrolling at the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law in 1986, earning the J.D degree as the top graduate in the class of 1989. After a successful clerkship with U. S. District Judge Joe Anderson, Susan entered the private practice of law in Spartanburg. She served with the Greenville, SC firm of Leatherwood, Walker, Todd and Mann when it opened an office in Spartanburg, later working as a sole practitioner in downtown Spartanburg. She retired in 2020.

A longtime member of Spartanburg’s Episcopal Church of the Advent, Susan served the parish as a Lay Reader and Chalice Bearer, a recurring presence at Christmas Eve services and other parish occasions for years. Family was of paramount importance to Susan, as evidenced by her active membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, and Society of the Cincinnati. She was also a proud member of the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association, the Spartanburg County Bar, the Assembly, the Junior League of Spartanburg, and The Piedmont Club. Numerous people and organizations benefited from Susan’s service over the years, including the Girl Rangers Boy Scout troop which she helped to create, and the Guardian Ad Litem program. She also enjoyed a wonderful home at Lake Summit, NC, where she hosted many occasions entertaining family and friends.

Susan was predeceased by her parents and by two brothers, Charles Alexander Fretwell and Alonzo Alexander Fretwell, Jr., as well as by uncles Burlington Alexander Fretwell and Francis Alexander Fretwell and an aunt, Susan Williamson Evans. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Leslie Fretwell, several cousins, and a host of friends, who have been her close family in recent years.

A memorial service celebrating Susan’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, October 23, at The Episcopal Church of the Advent, 141 Advent Street, Spartanburg.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials be made to TOTAL Ministries, 976 S. Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302, or to the charity of your choice.