Sue Anne, known to friends and family as “Susie”, is survived by her loving companion of 25 years, Anthony Thomas Bazile, her daughters Clara Frances and Sue Ellen, her grandchildren Davis & Clara Kotryna, Britt & Sue Anne, and Anthony’s family, which includes son Anthony and daughter-in-law Kathy, his daughter Gina, and their children Tony, Jared, Derick and John. She is preceded in death by her ex-husband, Davis Bates Richardson.

Born on February 27, 1929, in Olive Hill, Kentucky, her parents Clara Weckel Garber and Earl Garber encouraged their whip-smart daughter’s learning, intellectual growth and independence. She attended Vassar College before transferring and graduating from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Political Science. In 1950 she married Davis Richardson, and with Susie’s extraordinary gifts of hospitality and inclusion, they created lively, welcoming homes that anchored local groups. During Davis’ military and corporate career, she established circles of devoted friends and colleagues during their moves to Fort Hood, TX; Fort Benning, GA; Buffalo, NY; Houston, TX; St. Louis, MO; and Amsterdam, Holland.

Sue Anne/Susie was intellectually curious throughout her life, reading widely in philosophy, literature, science, nature and politics. For many years she was a dedicated member of a Great Books reading group. After earning a Master in Education, she enjoyed working with students as a substitute teacher during her years in St. Louis. Volunteering with the League of Women Voters, with Planned Parenthood, and at the Houston Zoo enabled Sue Anne to act on her passion for social justice, women’s rights and nature. A woman of keen energy and unusual creativity, she created exceptionally beautiful homes and clothes for her family and relatives, often on a very limited budget. She had a tremendous sense of humor, and was absolutely the most popular mom among Sue and Clara’s childhood friends. She enjoyed sports, especially snow-skiing and water skiing, and loved travel. Her phenomenal knowledge of geography and history enhanced her travels with her children and with Tony, through Europe, Central America, Africa and the Middle East. Recalling how she relished bridge, watching movies, and laughing together in her last years, we remember her as always generous, witty, and lighthearted.

A funeral is scheduled for June 26th, at 2:00pm. All are very welcome to celebrate Sue Anne’s life at the Earthman chapel, at 4525 Bissonnet St, Bellaire, TX 77401. There will also be live streaming for everyone not in the Chapel. If you would like to join via streaming, please go to Earthman’s website (at dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/Bellaire-tx/earthman-bellaire-funeral-home) for further information.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Houston Zoo (houstonzoo.org/support/) or Planned Parenthood of Houston (plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-gulf-coast/get-involved-locally/donate-locally). The family would also like to express our deep gratitude to Houston Hospice for their exceptional care and dedication to Sue Anne in her last days.

Condolences can be sent to Earthman’s Funeral Home (at dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/Bellaire-tx/earthman-bellaire-funeral-home).