Susie Marshall Berdahl

She was born, one of nine children, in Carroll County, Virginia to the late Norman & Laura (Jennings) Marshall, and grew up on the family farm. Hard working from a young age, she and her sisters were responsible for managing the household when their mother became ill. She approached these tasks with a happy heart and a smile. She carried this ethic of hard work and humor into old age, which carried over with unconditional love for her children and grandchildren.

Sue graduated from Radford University with a degree in education and became an elementary teacher and reading specialist.

Always excited about new challenges, she travelled to Maryland at the start of WWII for a defense job that led her to meeting her future husband, AJ, who was an Army combat medic. They married April 1, 1943. Decades later, he still called her sweetheart and would still say, “I loved her the first time I saw her, and I love her the same today.”

Sue loved her family; and they felt loved by her. Even if her kids were struggling, they always felt accepted by their parents, never judged. In turn, the kids eternally loved and respected their Mom and Dad, and even more so when they had children of their own. Even Sue’s nieces and nephews appreciated her from a young age for her listening skills, always treating them like adults, and validating their thoughts and experiences.

Sue, LOVED Christmas, and had all the kids in bed early to keep them from getting coal in their stockings, like one of her sisters did when she stayed up to catch a glimpse of Santa. But, she’d still be the first awake Christmas morning!

On most days, she liked to challenge her mind with daily crossword and word game puzzles, reading a good Western, or walking several miles to stay fit, even into her 90s! But, her favorite time was with family and friends, with a cup of coffee. She’d often misplace her half full cup and get a fresh one throughout the day. Everyone smiled and as they discovered the trail of half-empty cups.

In the kitchen, she’d cook up her famous “goulash” where she threw everything creatively into a pot -- she never quite repeated the same recipe, but it always tasted great. She made her own slaw, with homemade dressing, again, never the same twice but always tasty … and, her apple pie with its finely cut morsels and crumbly crust was the best in the world.

Sue is survived by her children Bill, Jeff, Rebecca, Kristi, and sisters Tida and Naomi. She was blessed with 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Sue loved meeting with the seniors group at her church, and the family invites you to Lockhart Baptist Church, 7601 Edgewater Drive Orlando for services. Visitations will be held from 6-8:30pm Tuesday February 10 & 11am-12pm Wednesday February 11 with a service to follow at Noon. The church will host a luncheon after the service, and those interested can travel to Woodlawn Memorial Park in Gotha, FL, following the reception, for the Internment around 3pm.