Growing up in Houston, Texas, Susan’s favorite childhood memory was of trips to family bay houses with her parents and sisters. Helping at home by cooking family dinners, Susan learned by calling her mother at work for recipe tips. Learning how to cook on the fly and improvise with recipes became a hallmark of Susan’s wonderful cooking.
Meeting her husband, Danny, while studying horticulture at Texas A&M University set her on the path of the rancher wife and mother – a role she in which she excelled. Whether it was cooking for a bunch of cowboys, or a bunch of kids dressed as cowboys, Susan made everyone who met her feel like they were the guest of honor.
Susan and Danny welcomed three children to their family and Susan was never happier than when she was surrounded by her children – even when they were constantly in the emergency room from sports and ranch injuries. She was the calm in every storm and voice of reason in arguments.
As her children grew older and moved off to college, Susan’s love for her husband grew as they embraced the new adventure of empty nesters. Whether it was building their own ranch house, traveling out to West Texas, or visiting her children, Susan loved every minute she spent with Danny. Later, Susan was able to put all her life experiences together to start a new business of growing restaurant produce supplies and creating oils and vinegars – it was such a great joy for her to share her love of plants and cooking with anyone who would listen.
With the addition of grandchildren, Susan, or Sudie, as she was affectionately known, really showed the beautiful love of a grandmother – constantly showing affection, indulging in any interest, and sneaking every type of sweet or ice cream. And her grandchildren adored Sudie. Thanksgiving became a favorite holiday for kids, grandkids, cousins, aunts, and uncles as Susan covered every available surface in homecooked goodness. The loudness of the family was matched by the joy Susan took in having the whole family in one place.
Susan’s children, Matthew, Anna, and Samuel, remember her quiet but determined spirit, her absolute love of them and their dad, and a great cup of tea – though not necessarily in that order. There is no way to fill the hole that is left in their hearts, but they rejoice in knowing that she is with Jesus.
There are so many beautiful, amazing, and wonderful memories to share, but as Susan lived her life as a model of modesty and sincerity, we wanted to close by saying Susan loved the Lord and wanted everyone else to love Him, too.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rileyfuneral.com for the Hemphill family.
