Susan (Hill) Brunson

Susan Hill Brunson, aged 75, died peacefully on March 13, 2016, at her home in Germantown, Tennessee, after a prolonged struggle with cancer.  She displayed unshakable bravery and contentedness as her end drew near and was surrounded by family and friends in the final weeks of her life.

Susan Ruth Hill was born on March 15, 1940, in Joliet, Illinois, the daughter of Ole and Rose Hill.  She grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and then attended Iowa State University.  While in college, she met the love of her life, Steve Brunson of Moscow, Tennessee.  The two were married and, after living in San Francisco where Steve was stationed while serving in the United State Navy, they moved to Moscow to own and operate a family farm and raise a family.  After arriving in Tennessee, Susan completed her education and later earned a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Memphis.

Susan was a long-time elementary school teacher, her career spanning nearly forty years and positively impacting hundreds of young children and their families.  Throughout her life, she was an energetic volunteer in a wide range of roles from Sunday school teacher to Cub Scout Den Mother to church pianist.  Even as she faced her own battle with cancer, she was a loyal and consistent volunteer for the American Cancer Society Road to Recovery program, driving other cancer patients to and from their medical appointments and lifting their spirits along the way.  She had a life-long passion for reading, puzzles, and the outdoors, and she became an avid golfer in her later years.  A friend to many, she was always quick with a smile, a laugh, or a comforting word.  Her most cherished role in life, however, was that of devoted mother of four and grandmother of nine.

Family was Susan’s passion and delight.  She shined as a mother and grandmother and took her responsibilities seriously.  She graciously and lovingly assumed many roles for her children and grandchildren including medic, chauffeur, financial advisor, maid, counselor, chef, tutor, teacher, mentor, gardener, reality-checker, interior designer, fashion consultant, storyteller, comforter, confidant, banker, coach, veterinarian, travel coordinator, seamstress, sounding board, babysitter, and best friend.  In short, Susan was everything one could hope for in a family matriarch.  She made a deep and lasting impact on those that she loved.  She will be greatly missed, but the memories of her will always prompt a smile.

Susan is survived by her husband of fifty-five years, Steve; her four children, Stephen David Brunson II, Elizabeth Brunson Allen, Stuart Todd Brunson, and Julia Brunson Moton; her nine grandchildren, Molley Allen Neace, Stephen David Brunson III, Samuel Stewart Brunson, William Lane Moton, Emily Catherine Moton, Abigail Elizabeth Brunson, Mason Stuart Brunson, Hayes Sedgwick Brunson, and Wade Cabot Brunson; her daughters-in-law, Anita Roberts Brunson and Elizabeth Sedgwick Brunson; and her brother, Robert Charles Hill.  She also leaves behind numerous loving relatives and friends.

Services of Remembrance for Mrs. Brunson will be conducted at 11 A.M. Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Germantown United Methodist Church. Interment will be private. A visitation for Mrs. Brunson will be from 10 to 11 A.M. Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Germantown United Methodist Church. Arrangements will be provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - Main Chapel of Somerville.

Her family wishes to thank all of those who visited and cared for her during her illness.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society Road to Recovery Program, 1378 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38104; the Church Health Center, 1196 Peabody Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38104; or Germantown United Methodist Church, 2331 South Germantown Road, Germantown, Tennessee 38138.