Susan "Sunshine" Glenewinkel Avery

Susan Glenewinkel Avery passed away peacefully at her home in New Braunfels, Texas, on December 20, 2024. She was born in New Braunfels to Otto Edgar and Virginia Lydia Linda Glenewinkel on December 17, 1952, the eldest of three children. She graduated from New Braunfels High School and later attended Texas Lutheran College in Sequin. The father of one of Susan's high school friends tagged her with the nickname of "Sunshine," and it stuck with her for the rest of her life. In the early years of Sunshine’s work life, she was employed at Motorola and was voted Miss Motorola one year, a testament to her friendly and positive personality. She later opened her own cafe in San Antonio called Susie's Cafe which proved to be a popular spot for locals. In the next chapter of her life, Susan worked as a loving and dedicated caregiver for General Walter B. Richardson and Mrs. Evelyn Richardson for many years until both of their deaths. She later worked as a waitress at several local restaurants in her hometown, notably Freiheit and The Grain Bin, the latter with her longtime friend, Tammy Harborth. If Sunshine ever waited on you at any of these establishments, you would likely never forget her welcoming smile, sense of humor and caring attitude. She was beloved by many regular customers.

Sunshine married her husband of 15 years, James Avery, first in a ceremony in Terlingua, Texas, and at another ceremony shortly later at The Grain Bin. Both celebrations were well attended by many friends and family members. Terlingua was a vacation spot she and James enjoyed visiting throughout the years and was cherished by them both since that was where they first fell in love. Later Sunshine retired to spend time travelling with James and work on her mosaic art. She was a talented artist who crafted many beautiful works with found objects such as buttons, broken china and glass tiles. This was an innate talent she possessed which came naturally to her later in life without any training. She had an eye for the natural beauty of everyday objects.

Everyone who knew Sunshine was aware of her deep love for animals and specifically for the many pets she had over the years, including her yellow headed macaw, Pico. Sunshine also had an impressive talent for cooking and baking and enjoyed feeding and entertaining friends and family. Sunshine was a perfect nickname for Susan as her friends and family will remember her knack for spreading love and positive energy to everyone she encountered, friends and even strangers. She was a deeply spiritual person. She often spoke of her trust that God and the universe would provide for her needs and that everything happens in life for a reason. Sunshine was grateful for all her blessings in life, especially family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, James, her sister, Jane Glenewinkel, brothers Allen Ray Glenewinkel and Otto Glenewinkel, Jr., her stepdaughter, Laura Mills, grandson Rowan Mills, and brothers-in-law Troy (Janie), Wayne and Uris Avery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to your local charity of choice.

A celebration of Sunshine’s life is being planned for February 22, 2025 from 12:00 to 5:00 @ Windmill Farms Winery 9111 Huber Road, Seguin, Texas 78155. Lunch will be served starting at 1:30. Please bring a lawn chair with you. Please RSVP to James Avery @ (830)660-6084 by February 7th.