Susan Gabbard

Susan Lee Friend Gabbard, 56, of Fort Smith, died January 21, 2011 in Little Rock. She was born on April 13, 1954 to Guy and Rose Marie Friend. Susan and her twin brother, Randolph, were living in Skiatook, Oklahoma at the time.

Susan grew up in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and graduated from Northeastern State University. She continued with her education and earned her Masters of Education with an emphasis in Music.

During her life she taught music at elementary schools in Roland and Little Rock, and was adjunct faculty at the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith. Currently she was teaching music at St. Boniface Catholic School where she had taught for thirty years.

Susan was an accomplished pianist and organist who had played at many churches including St. Boniface, First Presbyterian Fort Smith, and Central Presbyterian Fort Smith. She was a guest musician at numerous churches over the years in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. Her love of music began at an early age when her mother taught her to play the piano and her father taught her to play the flute. This love was nurtured by her family, her church, and her education. Susan was gracious and gifted enough to pass these talents on to others. As an exceptional vocalist, she sang in many churches as well as with the Fort Smith Chorale. She taught private piano lessons for over thirty years and lately had been giving music classes at St. Scholastica Monastery. She was also a member of the American Guild of Organists. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Smith.

Susan is predeceased in death by her mother and father, Guy and Rose Marie Friend.

Susan is survived by her beloved daughter, Rev. Elizabeth Gabbard of McComb, Mississippi; her twin brother, Rev. Randolph Friend of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; her sister and brother-in-law, Miranda and Gary Wescott of Jenks, Oklahoma; and her sister and brother-in-law, Laura and Jeff White of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She also has numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, January 25th at 2 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith. Services and Cremation are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: First Presbyterian Church 116 North 12th Fort Smith, AR 72901; Central Presbyterian Church 2901 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, AR 72901 St. Boniface Catholic School 201 North 19th Fort Smith, AR 72901, or St Scholastica Monastery 1205 South Albert Pike Fort Smith, AR 72901

To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com