Doneva Sue “Suzie” Fitzwater, 73, of Charleston passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at home after a short illness.

Suzie was a caring and tolerant (to a point) wife, mother, and Mawmaw. She was preceded in death by her loving mother, Doloras Virginia (McClanahan) Hughes, brother John D. “Jay” Hughes, and grandparents Delbert Arnold and Donna Lee (Tate) McClanahan.

She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Lewis “Mike” Fitzwater III of Charleston,
WV; children, William “BJ” Fitzwater of Charleston, WV, Nicholas (Madeline) Fitzwater of Charleston, WV, Sara Fitzwater (Joshua) Miller of Barboursville, WV; grandchildren, Elliot and Ari Miller of Barboursville; brother, Larry C. Hughes of Akaska, SD; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and longtime friends.

Suzie was born in Charleston, WV, graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in 1972, lived briefly in Denver, Colorado, and returned to her hometown, raising and loving her family until her final days.

Suzie was best known for being a spitfire of a woman. She possessed a rare trait of being fiercely loving, loyal, and direct. She could simultaneously dissect your life decisions while also showing her deepest love through caring and cooking, which was her greatest love language. Suzie provided advice to all family and friends, requested or not. She demanded people recognize their worth, with the familiar reminder of how “People will only do to you what you let them.” While we remember her tough demeanor, her compassion and ability to connect with others provided a constant reminder that they were loved, valued, and cherished. Communication was one of her greatest strengths, because “Everybody knows everybody if you just keep talking.”

She leaves behind a family that is deeply grateful for every message she drilled into them, but also lost without her attentive oversight, which was as predictable as the sunrise.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at Hafer Funeral Home in Elkview, WV at 5:30pm, with visitation beginning at 4:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association (1248 Greenbrier Street, Charleston WV 25311) or Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation (P.O. Box 16810 Columbus, OH 43216-6810).