Suanne Rogers Barlow

After an 18 month battle with ALS, Suanne Rogers Barlow, 71, of Tampa, FL, passed away on March 2, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Scott Sheppard Rogers and Beatrice Evelyn Szabo Rogers. She is survived by her three sisters, Evelyn MacIntyre (Sidney) of Conway, SC, Beth Williams (Ricky) of Blenheim, SC, and Janice Wyatt (Jeff) of Blenheim, SC; eight nieces and nephews; and eight great-nieces and nephews. Twenty seven persons in all.

A native of Blenheim, SC, Suanne graduated from Bennettsville High School (’72) and the Medical University of South Carolina with a BS in Nursing (’76). After furthering her education at Vanderbilt School of Nursing where she earned an MSN in 1981 and becoming a licensed nurse practitioner, Suanne was commissioned as an officer with the Public Health Service. She served as a nurse practitioner first in Portland, AR and then in Dallas, TX until 1984. In 1985 she joined the United States Air Force as a Captain, serving for three years at her first assignment at Homestead AF Base (FL) as an RN. During her 19 years in the Air Force, Suanne’s service to her country also took her to Scott AFB (IL) as a flight nurse, Sumter AFB (SC) as a charge nurse, Eglin AFB (FL) as a Family Nurse Practitioner, and one overseas assignment at Ramstein AFB and Landstuhl Emergency Room (Germany) as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Flight Commander. During Suanne’s final assignment in Tampa, FL, she managed special projects at MacDill, Tyndall and Patrick Air Force bases, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2004.

Suanne began attending Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church in 2009. Her wonder at the sovereign grace of God for sinners led to an infectious humility and joy in her life, making her relatable to people of all ages and stages in her church and in her community. She was a voracious reader and prayerful student of Scripture. Suanne was not only a “hearer” but a “doer” of God’s Word. She loved her church family as Christ’s blood-bought bride. She made her church elders’ calling a joy in the way she lived. Suanne invested in and discipled countless young women, including young women facing crisis pregnancies. She served the homeless community with devotion. She participated in numerous missions trips, taught Vacation Bible School, children’s Sunday School, and women’s Bible studies. Suanne’s home had a proverbial revolving door; the welcome mat was always out. She loved to gather people at her table, especially on the Lord’s Day.

Her zeal for God’s Word and his people led her to pursue a Biblical counseling degree in 2017 from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. She earned a Master’s degree in counseling (2019) which she put to immediate use upon her return to Tampa. From this time forward Suanne immersed herself in the Scriptures and their application to life with Christ. Surely she was being prepared, during these years of spiritual growth, to face the ravages of ALS and the trials to come.

Throughout her life Suanne’s devotion to her extended family was evidenced by her presence at so many special occasions in the lives of her sisters, her nieces, and her nephews. She expressed her love deliberately, conscientiously, and generously, with an unfailing eye toward the spiritual good of those she loved and anyone else she met. Suanne loved people because she loved God, and she loved God because he first loved her in the blood of his Son.

The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church, 350 S Hyde Park Ave #2234, Tampa, FL 33606, with a reception to follow at The Orlo House, 315 S Plant Ave, Tampa, FL 33606.

The Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Rogers Family Cemetery, 4466 Screwpin Rd, Blenheim, SC 29516, with a reception to follow.

Suanne was a long time supporter of Compassion International whose goal is to equip children to overcome child poverty and grow into their God-given potential. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made online through Compassion International.