Mrs. Rebecca Sue Briggs

Rebecca Sue Briggs - a beacon of love, warmth, and laughter - went home to be with the Lord, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, and service that will inspire all who knew her. Born May 16, 1938, in Danville, Virginia, Rebecca was the beloved daughter of Edward Hughes and Eva Mae Owens, and the youngest - the "baby" - of seven children. Known affectionately as Sue to her family and friends, she was raised in a home that prized education and compassion, values she carried with her all her life and passed on to her own children and grandchildren. Sue graduated from Langston High School in the Class of 1956, where she discovered her love of literature and the arts. She went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Education from Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, in 1963. It was at Hampton that she met the love of her life, Col. (Ret.) Joseph Briggs. The two were married on June 3, 1963, at the Hampton Institute Chapel, beginning a marriage that would span 63 remarkable years. As a devoted Army wife, Sue's family life took her on adventures around the globe, and she embraced every new post with grace and resilience. Together, she and Joseph raised three children, Joseph, Deidra, and Damon, instilling in them a love of learning, hard work, and kindness. Sue spent more than 30 years as an educator, teaching English, and Drama to middle and high school students. Her classroom was a haven of creativity, and her students remembered her as both disciplined and inspiring, a teacher who made learning an adventure. She carried that same gentle firmness home, correcting her children's, and later her grandchildren's, grammar with the practiced ease of a lifelong English teacher. Though small in stature at five feet five inches, Sue carried herself with a warm, confident presence that filled any room. Her quiet demeanor, quick wit, and beautiful dimpled smile were her trademarks. She was generous, a woman who put her family first, who helped friends in need without being asked, and who gave extra attention to any student who needed it. She never asked for much in return. Sue's faith and community meant the world to her. She was an active longtime member of Alfred Street Baptist Church, where for more than 30 years she cultivated lifelong friendships, helped document the church's history, gave freely of her time, and won several awards in the annual church golf tournaments. She was a proud member of the Northern Virginia Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., through which she supported countless community service projects, and she found joy in a local book club, a ladies' golf league, bowling, reading, and crossword puzzles. Above all, Sue was family. She showed up for academic, church, and sports activities, first for her own children and, later, with equal devotion, for her grandchildren. She was accountable, loyal, and endlessly dependable, the kind of person others could always count on. Sue is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, Col. (Ret.) Joseph Briggs; her children, Col. (Ret.) Deidra Briggs-Anthony and Damon Briggs, Sr. (LaTosha); her grandchildren, Dr. Damon "DJ" Briggs, Jr. (Amanda), Kayla Anthony, and Tatyana Briggs; her siblings, Lois Petty and Robert Hughes; her sister-in-law, Denise Briggs; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Eva Mae Hughes; her siblings Edward Hughes, Clara Pinchback, Gladys Bradley, Olivia Clark; her son, Joseph R. Briggs; her in-laws, Joseph and Elizabeth Briggs; and her brother-in-law, Wylie Briggs. Rebecca Sue Briggs will be remembered for her indomitable spirit, her unwavering faith, and love for her family and friends that knew no bounds. Her legacy of love, education, and service will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7 We warmly invite all who knew and loved Sue to join us in honoring, remembering, and celebrating her remarkable life. A viewing will be held at Alfred Street Baptist Church on September 9, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. At a later date, to be announced, Sue will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. May her memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her, and may she rest in eternal peace.

Mrs. Rebecca Sue Briggs

May 16, 1938 - August 17, 2026