Suzann Craig Long

Suzann Craig Long After a 14 year battle with Pick’s Disease, an advanced form of dementia, Suzann Craig Long, of Florence, SC died peacefully on April 8, 2017 surrounded by her family. She was 66 years old. Born on August 21, 1950 in Lewisburg, TN, Suzann dedicated her life to sharing her enthusiasm and God-given blessings with others. She was able to finely balance her professional career and community involvement while being a devoted mother. More than anything, her children were her most prized accomplishments. Her time around her home was filled with gardening, cooking, and playing the piano. Suzann was an avid member of Toast Master's and was a member of St. John’s Church in Florence, SC. She had a servant’s heart and was happiest when helping others. Suzann was a member of the Marshall County High School Class of 1968. She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Degree in Early Childhood Education and went on to receive a Master of Education of the Deaf from Georgia State University. She devoted her professional life to the needs of the deaf and deafblind community as an educator and an advocate for more than 25 years. Suzann’s passion and compassion for children and families with hearing impairments and dual-sensory impairments was demonstrated in everything she did. Her commitment to empower families of hearing impaired children and youth was demonstrated through numerous programs and the creation of a local summer camp to provide fun, educational experiences for children in need of sensory support. Her love for children unsurprisingly extended beyond her profession. Suzann served as a Sunday School teacher at St. John’s Church for many years and loved volunteering in church activities where she found joy, in particular, in helping with the St. John’s Annual Christmas Pageant. Suzann was preceded in death by her parents, Ann Sweeney Craig of Lewisburg, TN and William T. Craig of Belfast, TN. She is survived by her three children, Ron Jr. (Sheril) of McEwen, TN, Michael (Theresa), and Morgan Charles (Russell) of Florence, SC; two sisters, Eleanor Craig (Patsy) of Cedar Bluff, AL, Martha Jane Locke of Lewisburg, TN, and three brothers, Douglas Craig (Brenda) of Alcoa, TN, David Craig (Belinda) of Shelbyville, TN, and Sam Craig (Betsy) of Winchester, TN. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Hailey, Courtney and Riley Long; Henry, Abigail, Lucy and Faith Long; and Zoe and Reese Charles. A celebration of Suzann’s life will be on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 4:00pm at St. John’s Church, Florence, SC. The family will receive friends immediately following the service on the front lawn. An additional celebration of Suzann’s life will be on Monday, April 17, 2017 at Noon at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Columbia, TN. The family will receive friends prior to this service, between 10:00 am and Noon. Memorials may be made to the McLeod Hospice House (www.mcleodhospice.org) in Thanksgiving for their loving care of Suzann and her family, or to St. John’s Church (252 S. Dargan Street, Florence, SC 29506). Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home is assisting the family.Please send messages to the family at the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.