Suzie and I became friends the day she came to work at Lanier Middle School. Suzie was an outstanding teacher. We talked everyday about the children, about family, and just about everything else. We had a lot of laughs along the way. One of my favorite Suzie stories is the day we were sitting in the teacher’s lounge and I said, “Suzie, look at your feet.” She looked down to discover that she was wearing one blue shoe and one brown. She laughed and said, “I don’t turn on a light. I just open the closet and slip my feet into my shoes.” They were the same style, just different colors. I will miss my friend.

So sorry for the family members and many friends grieving the loss of Suzie May. We graduated from Waltrip in different years, however, I was fortunate that our paths crossed many times through the years. Suzie never changed - not that special smile or that ability she had to make you feel that she was truly interested in your life and your family. We bumped into each other at House of Pies on Westheimer one day and decided to sit for a few minutes and catch up. Needless to say, minutes turned to hours. This truly beautiful human being will be missed by so many. 
My sympathies to each of you.

I met Suzie in kindergarten at Garden Oaks Elementary School. We went through elementary, junior high and high school together. We even carpooled together. We went to prom together, and I was in her wedding when she married Richard. We kept in touch constantly over all these years. When we had to pay for long distance, we'd take turns calling each other. We spoke just a few days before she died, remembering some of our elementary school teachers and always discussing our former high school friends and our families. The day after we last talked, I remembered something I wanted to ask her but thought no problem, I'll ask her the next time we talk. Little did I know that that was our last time. I'm having difficulty realizing that she's not just a phone call away. She was a huge part of my life, and I miss her terribly. She meant so much to so many people, and I hope she knew that.

I am missing my friend Suzie.  We met at Waltrip,  and she became the go-to-person for all Waltrip '65 news--old and new.  Her devotion and willingness  were  evident in all she did for our class during these many years. We hope you know, Suzie, how much we loved and  appreciated you.

I have known Suzie since we were twelve years old.  I remember her as a mature, sophisticated 12-year-old, already a quiet leader and a loyal friend.  We were friends through high school, and worked together at Petroleum Information during summer breaks in college.   Suzie saw to it that she kept up with me as we became young adults. I remember her as a young widow, navigating a new path, and as a fellow teacher for the year I taught at Lanier.  I was on a new path in my life,  and she and Jim were both supportive during that time.
 But my greatest admiration and respect for her grew after her health began its long decline.  Suzie kept up with everyone—our 500-person high school class, 20+ teachers that had worked with her at Lanier, students who needed extra support, sorority sisters, and who knows how many others. She was the force behind the multitude of class reunions we had.  
The telephone became Suzie’s lifeline, and I recall that each call began with “Well, hello there,” and ended with “Take care.” She was filled with news of our classmates and fellow teachers,  and she saw to it that we kept in touch not only with her, but with one another. 
Suzie was interested in not only telling me the news but hearing my news.  Suzie never failed to ask about both of my children and about my grandchildren as well.    My children also remember her from Lanier.  My daughter still talks about Ms. Cunningham as the yearbook sponsor. Suzie and Jim were the only non-family that my son invited to his high school graduation party. 
As I read the comments by others, I realize that Suzie was a "bestie" to so many.   I honestly don’t know how all the people she reached can all get along without her! Keep looking over us, dear friend.

We had so many good times together at Southwestern University Homecomings. This was taken at least 10 years ago. We love you, Suzie.

Suzie was a dear friend from high school, and we also worked together in planning high school reunions for 60 years.  She was always ready to chat about plans, call classmates, and offer suggestions about the reunions. Suzie genuinely cared about people.  As she aged, she had physical issues, but she continued to nurture the Waltrip class of 1965, even 60 years later. I miss Suzie as a friend from younger days when we shared ideas at church and from working together on reunions. Jacquie Biggs

I met Suzie in Miss Poole’s 7th grade journalism class at Black Jr High & friends thru Waltrip Tribune.. I left the middle of my Jr year to go to SA… when the reunions would come around every 5 Years, by Suzy’s grace & favor, she included me on the Class of 65’s roster as a special friend!!! 🥰

Later when I moved back from Ft Stockton, she invited me to join the Imperial Guard Alumne… where she was a member of the Board… Mary Senske Schroeder

This was taken Fall 1966 when Suzie chose me to be her Little Sister in Delta Zeta Sorority. I really think it was love at first sight for both of us during the Rush parties. She was just the very best Big Sister that I could've ever wished for. These last few years she was my roommate for Homecoming every year. I loved her long phone calls and can still hear her voice. She called me Little One. "Goodbye, Little One. I love you," was the last thing she said to me just last month as we looked forward to Homecoming this year. I miss her immensely.

Our close sisters numbering 5 or 6 are always present at SU. Susie will be missed so much.

Sending my condolences to Aunt Suzie's family and friends. I want to thank Suzie and Jim for opening their homes and hearts to Stress Engineering and our MS150 Team over the years. Great memories with so much laughter and so many stories shared under the covered porch.

Prayers to Suzi’s family and many friends. Suzi, Lana and Nancy were among the first to welcome me in as a spring Delta Zeta pledge at Southwestern.    She will be missed.

Suzie was one of my bridesmaids in 1969. Our friendship began in the fall of 1965 at Southwestern when we pledged Delta Zeta, followed by campus walks, lots of talks, and being roommates. Over the years, we never lost touch. I will always miss her.

Suzie and I shared so much history.: Classmates, Garden OKs neighbors, church membership and more.  She even student taught under my sister.  In later years we shared many long telephone conversations about those shared experiences.  She will be greatly missed by so many whose lives she touched.  
Susan (Suzi) Smith McMillian.

Suzie has been a friend since the 7th grade, through high school, and in 1965, the two of us became classmates at Southwestern University, and finally sisters when we pledged Delta Zeta Sorority in 1965. For the past 15 years, we have been together with other sisters at SU Homecoming every year.  She was not able to attend the last two years and we missed her terribly.  She was definitely one of a kind and we all have an empty spot in our heart knowing that we will not be with her again in this life.  We worked together on our 45th, 50th, and 55th Reunion committees at SU. No one could track down missing classmates like Suzie.  She was a determined detective and an amazing telephone conversationalist as she went down her class list. I am so glad that I could spend time with her and her best sister Sweetie when we stayed together in Houston for high school mini reunions these last several years. I am going to miss the hour long phone calls, her unique way of expressing herself and really just everything that made her such a special friend. Sweet sister, Carl and I love you, and we all will cherish all the memories we have made through the years.

A Homecoming gathering at Southwestern, love and laughter with DZ sisters.

Suzie bounced into my life when I pledged Deltas Zeta. She was the big sister to my roommate, Alice, so we were together very often. I loved her so much. We lost touch after I left to get married. Of course there was no Internet then. Alice did keep me notified of her visits with Suzie. Then several years ago I went to a Southeastern reunion and got to be with her again. It was like we had never been separated. I was looking forward to seeing her this year, but instead I'll be praying at the SU Chapel service thanking God for her life. I pray you will find some peace as you miss her.

OBITUARY

Mildred Sue Cunningham

September 19, 1946 – June 29, 2025

Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors

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