Susan Durilla Briggs

Susan Durilla Briggs, age 79, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 6th, 2024, in Fort Smith, Arkansas surrounded by her family. Susan was born on July 17, 1944, in Wichita, Kansas, to John and Augusta “Gustie” Durilla. Susan grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and graduated from Fort Smith High school in 1962. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Susan pledged and became a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority at the University of Arizona in 1962 and later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Denver in 1968. Upon graduation, Susan began her teaching career in Dallas, Texas, where she met the love of her life, Cliff Briggs. Cliff and Susan were married on May 27th, 1972, in Fort Smith, where they moved to so they could begin to raise a family.

Susan followed her passion and spent many years as a teacher in Fort Smith while she raised her three sons – Tripper, John and Luke. She also enjoyed playing bridge with her friends. Susan had a great sense of humor, some might say a bit of sarcasm, which made her so fun to be around. She loved good food, and she rarely left a restaurant without a “to go” dessert.

Around 1998, Susan and Cliff began shifting their time to their second home in Destin, Florida, which provided a great vacation destination for their children and grandchildren. Susan had a love for collecting all things and had an impressive Madame Alexander doll collection. She could tell you the story how she acquired each one even though she had several hundred. Susan’s favorite hobby was traveling, which meant she always had to convince Cliff to book the next trip. Recently the two of them traveled to Hawaii and took a scenic train tour through Colorado and Montana.

Susan is survived by her husband, Cliff; her oldest son, Tripper, and his son, Jack; her youngest son, Luke, his wife Kim and their son Carson; and her daughter-in-law, Angela, and her daughters, Gracee and Hannah.

Susan is preceded in death by her parents, John and Augusta Durilla; sister, Zoe Oakleaf; son, John Briggs; and granddaughter Sloane Briggs.

Proverbs 31: 26 – 28

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

Celebration of Life Services will be held Friday, March 15th, 2024, 11:00 am at Edwards Funeral Home, 201 N 12th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association – Northwest Arkansas/River Valley, 1732 Moberly Lane, Suite B, Bentonville, AR 72712, or go to www.www.diabetes.org