Susan Holley Carter, a former general manager and advertising director of the Suffolk News-Herald, died Friday in southwest Virginia.

Carter led the business operations of Suffolk Publications LLC, which publishes the News-Herald, Suffolk Living magazine and related digital products, from 2009 to 2012. At the time of her death, she was publisher of The Southwest Times, a daily newspaper in Pulaski in southwest Virginia. She was 60.

“Our hearts are heavy with the news of Sue’s passing,” said Steve Stewart, publisher of the Suffolk News-Herald. “She worked tirelessly for the betterment of our newspaper and was a great friend and colleague for those who had the privilege of working with her. Sue was instrumental in the launch of Suffolk Living magazine and in our newspaper’s conversion to free distribution — two cornerstones of the significant readership growth we have experienced in recent years. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.”

An Ohio native, Carter came to Suffolk after serving as advertising director at The Item in Sumter, S.C. She had previously held similar positions at television stations and newspapers in Florida and Ohio.

While living in Suffolk, she met and married Suffolk resident Thomas Carter III in 2012. The couple moved to Pulaski in November of that year.

“Sue excelled in her life and business endeavors and was respected and had a genuine relationship with her employees,” said a statement from the family.

Thomas Carter remembered his wife with this quote: “Eyes are windows to the soul. Sue’s soul was as bright as her beautiful eyes.”

Some of her former co-workers also remembered her on Saturday.

“She was a sweet person, hard-working and always there for anybody whenever they needed anything,” said Sue Barnes, a retired marketing consultant for the Suffolk News-Herald. “She brought with her from other papers a lot of knowledge that was useful and helpful to all of us.”

A memorial service will take place Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Church of God, 1621 Bob White Lane, Pulaski. Burial in Bucyrus, Ohio, will follow at a later date.