Susan L. Esco

Susan Land Esco, beloved wife, mother, and servant of Christ, was born on November 14, 1959, and passed away on July 11, 2025, at home, surrounded by loved ones who prayed with her and over her in her final moments. Though her absence is deeply felt, her family takes comfort knowing she is now whole and rejoicing in the presence of her Savior.

In classic Esco fashion, this obituary came together at the last minute—with too many stories to tell and lots of laughter between the tears. Still, here we are, doing our best to honor a woman whose impact is impossible to measure. How do you distill a legacy like hers into a few paragraphs? She was a force of grace, humor, grit, and unwavering faith. Her influence stretched further than we’ll ever know, and those who knew her carry a piece of that legacy forward.

Susan grew up in Fort Worth, running around the neighborhood with friends and her cousin Liz, who was more like a sister. She was a cheerleader at Southwest High School and a dedicated student, always giving her all—whether in the classroom or on the sidelines. She had a love for horses from a young age—her own horse, Termite, was affectionately named for its habit of gnawing on wooden fences. A genuine cowgirl, Susan was a blue ribbon barrel racer, fearless in the saddle and full of spirit.

That same fearless spirit carried into the rest of her life—athletic, determined, and always up for a challenge. She loved road biking and even completed the Hotter’N Hell Hundred, a grueling 100-mile ride through the Texas heat. She would ski the slopes until the sun went down, long after everyone else had retreated to the lodge. On the lake, she was the last one out of the water, convinced that the best water skiing happened in the calm of the evening. She loved wake surfing too. She even tried barefoot skiing… once.

That spirit also showed up in every game she played. And she played a lot—Mahjong, Nintendo, Spades, Monopoly, Canasta (which she, Steve, Kylie, and Brandon loved to play together whenever they were in town), the list goes on—and it’s longer than yours. She was a Bridge Life Master and had an ongoing Gin Rummy competition with Steve. The two of them carried a deck of cards everywhere and would squeeze in a hand whenever they had the chance. Fittingly, Susan won the last hand they played. Anyone who played a game with her knew: she loved Jesus, but she also loved to win.

She went on to attend Texas Christian University, where she even got to room with Liz for a year. She joined Delta Delta Delta at TCU and loved the sisterhood and friendships that came with it—lifelong bonds, lots of laughter, and more than a few shenanigans. Susan earned her master’s degree in special education, and after moving to Oklahoma City with her husband Steve, she taught third grade at Casady School for three years, forming friendships she cherished and maintained for the rest of her life. When their daughter Kylie was born, Susan left teaching to focus on raising her, but she never stopped teaching by example. She began a lifelong journey of serving others as a career volunteer.

Susan’s commitment to sharing the love of Christ was deeply personal. As a young woman, she experienced the life-altering grace of forgiveness following a tragic accident. That moment of mercy shaped her life’s mission: to extend God’s healing and redemption to others. She began prison ministry in 2007 through Joy Bible Study at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center. She was nervous at first—but once she met the women, she knew she was exactly where God was calling her to be. She felt deeply called to love and serve them with Christ’s love. Later, through Prison Fellowship, she continued ministering to incarcerated women and men, reminding them that “there is hope when you feel hopeless” because Jesus is the ultimate Redeemer.

Her faith led her to serve on the board of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, advocate for second chances, and mentor women with Christ-centered compassion. She was a dedicated volunteer with Stand in the Gap, Bible Study Fellowship, and a high-impact leader in Prison Fellowship’s Tier-2 Academy at Kate Barnard Correctional Center. She was also involved in the founding of Living Hope Women’s Ministry, served on the Justice Reform Oversight Implementation Commission, and was honored with the Charles Colson Servant of Hope Award in 2020.

Diagnosed with cancer in 2021, Susan approached her treatment with grace, strength, and peace rooted in her faith. She completed six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation surrounded by family, praising God even in suffering. In her final years, she lived with joyful expectancy—not just for healing in this life, but with assurance of the life to come.

During her time in remission from lung cancer, Susan was able to celebrate one of life’s sweetest milestones—her daughter Kylie’s wedding. She danced her cute little tail off with her husband Steve and with Kylie, filling the night with joy and laughter. And of course, she was absolutely stunning, as always—stylish, radiant, and full of life.

Susan loved decorating for Christmas. Her decorations were full of whimsy, often featuring antique treasures she’d collected over the years. She took great pride in finding just the right piece—especially if it was a good deal! More than anything, she loved celebrating Christmas because, for her, it was all about the birth of her Savior. The joy, the beauty, and the celebration all pointed back to her faith in Jesus.

For nearly thirty years, Susan, Steve, and Kylie have been part of the Crossings Community Church family—a place that became more than just their church. It was a home base for their faith and a source of friendships that have been nothing short of miraculous. The people they’ve walked alongside there are a rare and beautiful kind—friends who show up, pray hard, laugh loud, and love like Jesus. Susan never took that kind of community for granted. She knew it was something special, and she treasured it deeply.

When Susan began treatment in Houston, a good friend and cancer survivor who visited her said, “We’re on a mission trip.” Susan took those words to heart throughout her treatment there. She often prayed with and for the patients or staff at MDA when she felt Jesus tugging at her heart. Many of those moments resulted in sweet new friendships—including one from her hospital bed in her final days, praying with a night housekeeper who was going through a difficult time. There’s an old quote from a 1960s TV show that said, “No brag—just fact.” Susan not only talked the talk but walked the walk. She will be missed by those who knew and loved her. We are comforted knowing that she is in her happy place in heaven where every day is a happy day. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” —Matthew 25:21

She was preceded in death by her brother Michael, her parents Tom and Sylvia, and her parental in-laws Sue and Joe. Michael is survived by his wife, Suzanne.

She is survived by her husband, Steve; her daughter, Kylie, and cherished son-in-law, Brandon; her sister-in-law, Susan Chandler, and husband Alfred; her niece, Elizabeth; her nephew, Jonathan, and his wife, Reiko; Steve’s Aunt JoAnn; and many loving cousins, with whom innumerable games of LRC (Left Right Center) were played—and often won—by Susan. Her laughter, competitive spirit, and warmth at family gatherings will live on in their hearts.

A celebration of Susan’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 22, at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel at Crossings Community Church, 14600 Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73134.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Susan’s memory to:

Prison Fellowship

• Donate online: https://www.prisonfellowship.org/parting-the-legislative-sea-for-women-in-prison/

• Donate by phone: 800.206.9764 (M–F 8:30 am – 5:00 pm ET)

• Donate by mail: Prison Fellowship, PO Box 1550, Merrifield, VA 22116

R.I.S.E. Program Inc.

• Donate online: https://www.riseprograminc.com/donate-1

• Donate by mail: RISE Program, 3516 NW 50th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73112