Suzanne DeMars

Suzanne DeMars, 79, of Chattanooga, TN, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2023, in the care of the staff of the Martin Boyd Christian Home. Her best friend and baby brother, Greg and her dear friend, Nancy, were with her as she transitioned to her eternal life. There to welcome her are those special family members that predecease her; her parents Wert J. Jr, and Mildred Richey DeMars, her brother, Wert J. “Jimmy” DeMars, III, and a host of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, David R. Crosslin (Inez), Catherine Suzanne Crosslin Brewer(Chris), and Joseph Earl Crosslin, Jr.(Carol), her brothers Gregory K. DeMars, Sr. (Lisa) and R. Edward DeMars (Gaye). Her grandchildren, Graham (Bre), Jacob, Meredith and Caroline will forever cherish their memories of their Nana Zoo. She also leaves behind nieces, nephews, friends, cousins, and a very special sister cousin, Jane Richey Oglesby.

Suzanne would be born to parents of the Greatest Generation. She was proud to tell you she was the first grandchild born to her maternal grandparents where she would live with our Mother and her family until our Dad would return from the Philippines during World War II. She would meet him for the first time in person when she was almost 3 years old. It was a different time. Thru those early, formative years of living in that environment, she would develop a strong life long bond with our beloved Richey family until her death.

Suzanne was a 1962 graduate of Chattanooga High School, where she remained friends for life with many of her classmates. She had a melodious voice and was a Mezzo Soprano voice major at UT Knoxville. She sang for many special occasions, open houses, weddings and functions in her lifetime. In college, she would meet her late and former husband, Joseph Earl Crosslin, Sr., and would relocate to North Carolina where she would remain for 27 ½ years until they divorced. She spent those years as a Homemaker and Mother, her favorite role. She took classes finishing her degree, was an elite bridge player, a perfect hostess, and found time to pursue her singing by joining the Sweet Adelines.

In 1992, her life would take a turn and she would return home to Chattanooga, to begin her life again as a single individual. She would work temporary assignments and take evening classes to hone her skills until she accepted a position at TVA, where she excelled and retired. She became a Matriarch to the family, leading us in grief and strength when our parents passed. She developed a special bond with her baby brother, Greg, who was born when she was a senior in high school. She called him Sweet Pea, always. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, and a member of the sanctuary choir before a series of strokes would affect her health.

She was beautiful, dynamic, and dazzling in all she did. She was one of those people that you notice when they walk in a room. She had many special people that she supported in prayer and emotional support. If there were a need, be it financial or otherwise, she was there. Her outreach was far and wide. We have endured a great loss.

Graveside services will be held Monday, January 8, 2024, at 11 AM, EST, with the Reverend Carl Blackburn officiating at the Hamilton Memorial Gardens Garden of Everlasting Life, in Hixson, where she will be interred with her parents and brother. There will be no formal visitation and the family will plan a Memorial Service later in the Spring.

Pallbearers will be her special tribe, Kirk DeMars, Charlie DeMars, Jordan Chaney, Jacob Brewer, Chris Brewer, and Jason Oglesby.

The family would like to extend our thanks to Hospice of Chattanooga, Martin Boyd Christian Home, Nancy Pittman and those who rallied for her during her failing health years.

May she rest in Eternal Peace.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com