Susan Gordon Claiborne

When I remember my mother, I will remember her laughing. She had a wonderful laugh, one that made you want to laugh along with her, even if you weren't in on the joke. Warm and true and infectious, she often laughed so hard tears ran down her face. You just couldn't hear her laugh and not join in.

Susan Gordon Claiborne was a woman who lived for her family. She was born into a family with nearly grown children and was closer in age to her nieces and nephews than her siblings. She loved them all deeply. Her father Dwight Gordon died when she was eleven, leaving a lonely place in heart. Her mother Mary, brother Richard, sister Dottie and brother-in-law Ollie helped her through her high school years at Knoxville Catholic High School.

After completing the dental hygiene program at the University of Tennessee, she met the love of her life. An aspiring law student named G. Battle Claiborne soon became her best friend, her husband and her partner in life. For the next fifty years, hardly a day passed when they didn't communicate with each other. Through the ups and downs of married life, even when things were difficult, they leaned on each other. Their lives were entwined so tightly the bond couldn't be broken.

They started a family in the late sixties in Knoxville before moving to Memphis where Suzie supported Battle as he earned his law degree while growing their family. In a few short years, they produced three daughters and a son. They moved to Nashville where they placed their roots and added another son and daughter to complete their brood. The young couple was deeply involved with Overbrook School and St. Henry's Catholic Church where they made friendships that would last a lifetime.

Her love of edication inspired her to return to school at Middle Tennessee State University to earn a second degree in education. She worked for the State of Tennessee Health Department as a traveling educator teaching children from across the middle Tennessee region about dental health.

A dental hygienist by training, she was a determined and optimistic entrepreneur who was constantly dreaming up new ideas for businesses. Over the course of her life, Suzie owned a jewelry store and a hot dog delivery business and had plans for a dozen more ventures. Her dream was to turn her historic house in Cornersville into a bed and breakfast and tearoom. She never stopped planning, never stopped imagining how things could work, how she could bring her ideas to life.

As times changed and their children grew up and started their own lives, Suzie was thrilled with each new grandbaby. She lived for those grandbabies and never missed a chance to take care of them or to visit the ones who lived far away. Several of them lived close enough that she was able to be an integral part of their lives and she could not have been happier.

She was also a loyal and true friend. She loved keeping up with the lives of friends from her childhood while always making new friends. The Knoxville class of 1961 was especially important to her as she typically found herself heavily involved in planning regular reunions of the group. The magic of Facebook allowed her to keep in touch with extended family, friends and friends of her kids- even though she lived far away, she was involved in the lives of so many.

Fiercely independent, she loved her rambling old house in the country and her last years were spent restoring and redecorating the historic home. She lived her life on her own terms, and she refused to let her various ailments get in the way of her life. She traveled, she spent time with all her kids and grandkids, and she thoroughly enjoyed her life.

Her last days were spent with her husband, all six kids and spouses and all fifteen grandchildren around her, celebrating Christmas in her home. She had gifts for everyone and cooked a fabulous meal for a crowd, but the highlight was having everyone together for the first time ever.

She died quietly in the arms of her husband, comfortable in her own bed. We will miss her terribly.

Susan Gordon Claiborne is survived by her husband, G Battle Claiborne and her children and grandchildren. Daughter Anne Lisle, husband Joe Lisle and grandchildren Mark, Gordon and Maggie Grace Lisle. Daughter Scottie Claiborne and grandchildren Marshall, Benjamin and Erin Drew.Son George Claiborne. Daughter Kathleen Claiborne and grandchildren Jessica Rice, Rebecca Bertrand, Elias and Patrick Kelly. Son Andrew Claiborne, wife Lily Claiborne and grandchildren Joe and Rocky Claiborne. Daughter Molly Purdy, husband Angus Purdy and grandchildren Seamus, Finnegan and Fitz Purdy. She is also survived by her loving brother-in-law Ollie Keller and nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews. Susie is preceded in death by her father Dwight Scott Gordon; her mother Mary Ursaleen Fitzgerald Gordon; her brother Richard Gordon; and her dear sister Dorothy (Dottie) Gordon Keller.