Suzanne Smith Rush, 67, died on Sept. 4, 2024, in Lometa.
Funeral services were held Sept. 10 at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel in Lampasas, with burial at Naruna Cemetery in Burnet County.
Suzanne was born on April 25, 1957, in Lockhart to Desmond Keller Smith and Evelyn Moore Smith. She spent her early years in Austin and Odessa before moving to Fort Worth and Round Rock as a teenager.
A proud graduate of Round Rock High School in 1975, Suzanne was involved in numerous activities, including the yearbook team, the tennis team, Young Life ministries, and a cappella choir. She was also named Junior Class Track Queen, reflecting her spirit and involvement in school life.
Suzanne attended Texas Christian University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary and secondary education in 1979. She later pursued a Master of Education in counseling from Tarleton State University in 2006. During her time at TCU, she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, serving as House President and Vice President of Operations. She also participated in mission work, served in the House of Representatives for the TCU student body, and worked as a camp counselor at Camp Kickapoo for Girls in Kerrville.
Her career as an educator began in the fall of 1980 with Georgetown Independent School District, where she taught elementary school for seven years. Suzanne also owned and directed Gingham Goose, a Christian preschool in Georgetown.
In 1993, she moved with her family to Lampasas to be closer to her parents and returned to the classroom. Suzanne served as a classroom teacher, resource teacher, counselor, vice principal and principal in districts across Georgetown, Lampasas, Copperas Cove, Killeen, Goldthwaite and Mullin. She retired in 2018 after a distinguished 32-year career.
She was a member of the Lampasas County Retired Teachers Association. Additionally, she owned and directed Angel's Ark Christian School in Lampasas. Suzanne also taught courses at Central Texas College in Killeen.
Suzanne was deeply involved in her community and numerous charitable organizations. She was president of the Colorado River Texas Cattlewomen's Association in the 1990s and a member of the Southwest Cattle Raisers Association; a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a charter member of the Oran Milo Roberts Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Suzanne also served on the Lampasas County Dam Board and was a member of the Thursday Luncheon Club and the Lampasas County Young Life ministry board. She also was a foster parent, providing care and support to children in need. Her faith guided her throughout her life, and she was always willing to serve others.
Suzanne enjoyed traveling and was an EF tour guide to France and Great Britain, sharing her love of culture and history with others.
Suzanne married Michael Thomas Rush in 2013 in Lampasas, and they shared 11 years of marriage. She found joy in walking her hound dogs, entertaining family and friends, scrapbooking, singing and sharing God's word.
Suzanne is survived by her spouse, Michael of Lampasas; her daughters, Karley Anne Goen of Tolar, and Morgan Bree Goen Kaldis (Andrew) of Cold Springs; son, Burton William Rawson Goen (Angela) of Heidenheimer; her sister, Sharon Smith Smith (Ronnie) of Waco; grandchildren Burton Desmond Rawson Goen and Andrew Mark Kaldis II; and nephews Nathan Edward Smith and Samuel Keller Smith (Heather).
Memorials may be made to the Naruna Cemetery Association, Naruna Baptist Church, or Lampasas County Young Life.
