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Suzanne Echols Smith, 82, died July 9, 2022, in the presence of her loving family in San Antonio, Texas. Suzanne was born January 12, 1940, in Richardson, Texas to Edgar and Cecile Echols. Her father was a carpenter and cemetery caretaker. Her mother was a homemaker, seamstress, and later an office clerk with Civil Service. Suzanne and her brother George spent much of their childhood visiting at their paternal grandparents' home and playing with their Echols cousins. Suzanne has fond memories of those childhood years and has maintained close ties with several of her Echols family. Suzanne graduated from W. H. Adamson High School in Dallas, Texas with the Class of 1957. In the mid-1950s Suzanne met Charles David Smith at church. In 1957 they married and this union would produce six children. The family initially lived in Carrollton, Texas. Suzanne was a homemaker while Charles worked in airport operations with Braniff International Airlines. The family later moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1966 and during this time Suzanne worked briefly as part of a cabin cleaning crew for Continental Airlines. In 1968, the family settled in San Antonio, Texas where they still reside today. In 1975 Suzanne became a single parent to her six children and began her career in Real Estate in order to support her family. She first worked as a receptionist with Condra Real Estate in San Antonio, Texas. In the late 1970s Suzanne became a Licensed Real Estate Agent. In the early 1980s Suzanne attended San Antonio College in San Antonio, Texas where she earned her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts and Real Estate, and she then became a Licensed Real Estate Broker. In 1984 Suzanne began her property management business, Suzanne Smith Management Company, which she successfully operated for the last 38 years. Suzanne firmly believed in “family first” and empowered women to become independent. She allowed employees flexible scheduling to include bringing children to work when childcare was not available. Over the years Suzanne has received industry awards and recognition from the US Dept of HUD, Lancaster Pollard, Mission Road Developmental Center, and SouthWestern Affordable Housing Management Association where she has served on their board. Suzanne had close relationships with her children and grandchildren, and each have a special place in her heart. Her hobbies and interests included family, knitting, baking, reading, playing ukulele and accordion, and watching crime television and movies. In the early 2000s Suzanne was an original student at the Conjunto Heritage Taller where she learned to play Conjunto Music on the button accordion; and, during the mid-2000s she was a member of the Ukulele Ladies and Gents where she learned to play several styles of music adapted for the ukelele, with her favorite styles being Bluegrass and Hawaiian. Suzanne traveled with the Ukelele Ladies and Gents to Hawaii twice for special performances. Suzanne was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Although she didn't attend church for several years, she maintained her LDS faith. Suzanne had a caring heart and lived a life of service to others. Suzanne is preceded in death by: parents Edgar and Cecile Groves Echols; brother and sister-in-law George and Diana Horton Echols; children Eric, Amy, and Jay Scott; daughter-in-law Mary Lou Hernandez-Smith; and, former husband Charles David Smith, Sr. Suzanne is survived by: children Charles Jr, Leah, and Marian; 7 grandchildren; and, 18 great-grandchildren. Suzanne's “family of choice” survivors include: daughters Jeanne and Sarah; 9 grandchildren; and, 13 great-grandchildren. Finally, Suzanne is survived by: spouses of her children and grandchildren; 2 nephews and their families; and, several cousins. Funeral Service and Burial: Mission Park Funeral Chapels South, Main Chapel 1700 SE Military Dr. San Antonio, Texas 78214 Phone (210) 924-4242 Visitation, Friday, July 29, 5PM to 8PM. Funeral, Saturday, July 30, 1PM. Burial following funeral at Mission Burial Park South.

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Suzanne Echols Smith

January 12, 1940 - July 9, 2022