Susanne Gordon Smith

Susanne Smith 59 transitioned on December 30, 2018, at Hanson Hospice in Stevensville, MI surrounded by family. A celebration of Life services will be held on Wednesday, January 9, 2018, at Refreshing Fountain COGIC, 175 S Euclid Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 with visitation starting at 10:00 am followed by services at 11:00 am. Burial will take place immediately after services at Crystal Spring Cemetery.

Our beloved Susanne Gordon Smith was born on August 21, 1959, to the late Willie Lee Gordon Sr., and Deborah Jones in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Sue spent her life here in Benton Harbor and was the oldest of 12 children.  Being the oldest she loved helping her parents look after her younger sisters and brothers.

Suanne’s young spiritual years were formed at Hopewell Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor John Simmons.

Susanne graduated from Benton Harbor High School in June of 1977.  She was one of 420 graduates; she played softball and volleyball.  She was also a member of the National Honor Society.  Susanne remained faithful to the class of '77 after graduation.  She was instrumental in assisting the graphic designer with class t-shirt designs for all seven class reunions. In 2017, Susanne was the Chairperson for the 40th class reunion. The theme for the reunion was, "When Will I See You Again?"  She and her committees executed the second largest reunion of the class.  Sue furthered her education and received a degree in Business from Sienna Heights in May of 2013.

Susanne loved working in her yard and would spend hours planting beautiful flowers, shrubbery, and the grass always had to be trimmed to perfection.  She also shared her husband’s love for cars and attended many car shows with him.  Sue, along with her husband Eddie and a group of friends organized the first car show held in the Arts District in downtown Benton Harbor.  Susanne and Eddie loved entertaining and having family and friends over for barbecues.  They also loved visiting her brother Lee, his wife Lisa and eating some of Lisa’s good cooking.

Musicality running in her family Susanne sung for many years with the gospel chorale the Sounds Unlimited under the direction of Pastor Jerry Lott.

When you ask, Eddie, where did you and Sue meet?  He replies with a smile my brother Jeffrey and I were riding around one Sunday when saw her walking down Highland on her way to church.  I told Jeff that day…that is going to be my wife. 

Susanne and Eddie were married on April 18, 1981, with a host of their closest family and friends in attendance.  Susanne enjoyed working for several local businesses Chardon Rubber, Whirlpool, Lakeland Health Systems and most recently Chassix.  Susanne’s hard work, commitment, and contagious smile endeared her to her coworkers and made lifelong friendships.

Even though Sue and Eddie never had any children of their own they became godparents and lavished their love and attention on Tony (Lil T) Gordon, Jr, TreKenya Gordon, and TaJuan (Batman) Wright.

She departed this life surrounded by family at the Hanson Hospice Center, on Sunday, December 30, 2018.

Susanne was a devoted wife and after a fateful motorcycle accident that left her husband unable to walk and after many many healthcare issues and hospitalization she remained faithful to him until the day she departed this earth.

Sue affectionally called “dumpling” will be loved and never forgotten by her husband Edward Carledus Smith…  Also left to cherish and celebrate her life is her Mother, Deborah Cryer of Tacoma, Washington.  Father in law James Guyton Smith of Grand Rapids, MI.  Sisters; Diane Gordon of Los Angeles, CA. Kathryn Gordon of Spokane, WA, Angelic (Nicholas) Simmons, Vanessa Gordon all of Tacoma, WA.  Maryanne (Harold) Perry of Grand Blanc, MI. Brothers; Antwan Gordon of Tacoma, WA.  Willie Lee (Earlie) Gordon, Jr, Tony Gordon, Lee (Lisa) Gordon and David Gordon all of Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Sisters in law: Robin Guyton of Bloomington, IN, Glenda Bell, Rosa Lee Hamilton of Benton Harbor, Lori (Lonnie) Guyton Harris, of Atlanta, GA, Solange Smith of South Bend, IN, Arielle Guyton Smith, Jade Guyton Smith of Holland.  Brothers in law: Bryan Guyton, Apple Valley, MN, Jeffrey (Melanie) Robinson, Plains, Pennsylvania, Lawrence (Kim) Guyton of Atlanta, GA, Priest Granger of Grand Rapids, MI, Kareem (Carmella) Lynch of Atlanta, GA, Julian Guyton Smith of Grandville, MI. A host of Aunts, Uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.

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