Susan B Bryan

Susan Baarcke Bryan 95 passed away January 22, 2025. She was born on July 8, 1929, in Tampa, Florida to Leonide Alfred Baarcke and Olive White Baarcke. She attended Edgewood Elementary School, graduated from Shades Cahaba High School in 1947 and then graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) in 1951, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She was a member and the president for two years of the Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Delta Pi social sorority while attending API.

Susan taught elementary school for several years in Tuscaloosa and Homewood and for a year in Clearwater, Florida. In the late 1970’s she enjoyed working in the admissions office for Cumberland Law School. She was active in the Alpha Delta Pi Alumni Association, the Children’s Service League and was an enthusiastic Brownie and Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, room and team mother. Susan was also an avid bridge player and reader, and a passionate, loyal fan of her beloved Auburn Tigers. She always looked forward to cheering them on—no matter the sport or the team record.

Susan married John Newton Bryan Jr on June 27, 1953, and they were blessed with 64 years of marriage until his death in 2018. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Leonide Alfred Baarcke Jr, her husband John Newton Bryan Jr, her son John Nathanael Bryan (Nat), and her nephew Lee Winston Forehand.

She is survived by her sister Rebecca Baarcke Forehand, daughter Sandy Bryan Vitalis (Greg), daughter-in-law Ashley Butler Bryan, grandson John Nathanael (Jack) Bryan Jr, granddaughter Katherine (Kate) Bryan Rand (Stewart), niece Betsy Forehand Green (Richard), great nephew Richard Whitehead Green Jr, great niece Rebecca Green English (Casey), and her delightful great-grand nephews and niece.

Susan was a wonderful mother and role model and a devoted wife, sister, aunt, and daughter. Her kindness and empathy, fierce loyalty, and wonderful sense of humor and fun will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched.

A great deal of thanks goes to the staff of Galleria Woods Independent Living and Skilled Nursing and Just for You Sitters for their gentle, compassionate care of Susan. A special thanks to her longtime caregivers Mary, LaMirian, and Lissa of Con Cierge Care for their loving care and companionship over the past year.

A graveside service will be held on February 8, 2025, at 11am at Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Shades Crest Baptist Church or the charity of your choice.