Susan L. Cherry

Susan Elizabeth Laughlin Cherry was called home by the Lord on Monday, July 7, 2025, after being His faithful and devoted servant for 75 years. Susan was born on March 30, 1950, in San Antonio, Texas. William “Bill” Laughlin and Julia Knowles Laughlin chose her as their daughter, and she was raised alongside her two sisters, Lisa and Meredith, in Premont, Texas. Susan was a lifelong member of the Methodist church.

Susan had a deep love for music. She attended Premont High School, where she expressed this love through playing the clarinet in band, theatre, twirling, and being a drum major for the high school band. She was known to enlist the help of her little sisters as props in her performances. This love for music would follow her for her entire life.

After high school, she attended college in San Marcos at Southwest Texas State, but that was short-lived. By that time, Susan had met the love of her life, Harry V. Cherry, and could not stand to be that far away from him. She returned to Premont, and they married on June 20, 1969. In September 1970, they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Kristen Ann, and in January 1974, a son named William "Bill" Martin. Susan devoted her life to her family and her beloved community of Premont.

She went back to school when Kristen and Bill were school age and finished her degree at Texas A&I University in Kingsville. Susan graduated with degrees in both education and music. During her time there, she was very much involved in the theatre and performing arts. She starred in musicals like Hello Dolly and The Pirates of Penzance. She loved the stage and anything that had to do with a musical performance. Instead of pursuing a professional music career, she fed this love by singing and playing the piano and organ for her church and community. Susan was the singer of choice for so many weddings, funerals, parties, and events.

After graduating from A&I, Susan worked as a fourth-grade science teacher. She loved teaching and her students and has maintained a relationship with them long after they left her classroom. Upon the death of her father, Susan left teaching to manage her family's farming and ranching operations. She proved herself capable and a quick learner, and successfully managed the family business until the time of her passing. Susan's most recent passion was that of a librarian at the Premont Public Library, a role she loved and dedicated herself to. She worked diligently to increase library and summer reading participation. Susan was a family caretaker, an animal lover (especially horses), a devoted friend, a faithful Christian, a loving wife, and the best Mom and Nana that any kid could ever ask for.

Susan was one of a kind. She loved with her whole heart, she gave the best hugs, always had a smile on her face, and if she was in your corner, you should consider yourself lucky. She was a bright light, and the world is so much less without her in it.

Susan is now reunited in Heaven with her parents, Bill and Judy Laughlin, and is deeply missed by those she has left behind.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Harry V. Cherry of Premont; children, Kristen (Rommel) Williamson of Corpus Christi and William “Bill” Cherry of Premont; sisters, Lisa (Kenneth) Tweedie of Euless and Meredith (Gary) Golden of Victoria; five grandchildren, Brenna Christine Doran, Hannah Susan Cherry, Caitlyn Renee Williamson, William "Liam" Martin Cherry and Brody Miles Williamson; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members; her lifelong friend Pete Hornsby whom she adopted as a brother, and several amazing close friends whom she cherished.

Pallbearers will be Bill Cherry, Liam Cherry, Rommel Williamson, Brody Williamson, Blake Mead, and Scott Smith. Honorary Pallbearers are Pete Hornsby, Ken Tweedie, and Gary Golden.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Falfurrias with public visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Graveside will follow with procession to the Premont Cemetery. A reception will immediately follow the graveside service at the William "Bill" Laughlin Community Center in Premont - formerly the Premont United Methodist Church sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Premont Cemetery Association - P.O. Box 596 Premont, Texas 78375.