Victoria Susan "Susie" Williams Derryberry
(04 April 1941 - 24 December 2011)

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Victoria "Susie" Derryberry

Victoria Susan "Susie" Derryberry, of Baxter Springs, Kansas, left us on Saturday, December 24th, 2011 at age 70.

Susie was born on April 4th, 1941 in Joplin, Missouri but lived her entire life in Baxter Springs.

In 1958, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Harold Dean Derryberry.

Susie received her Bachelor of Education degree from Missouri Southern State College, graduating with summa cum laude honors.

She devoted her working life of 29 years to teaching middle and elementary school students in Baxter Springs. Her excellence in teaching led her to be elected as a member of the Who's Who among American Teachers. She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. As an avid reader and book lover, she played an active role in her position on the board of trustees of the Johnston Pubic Library in Baxter.

She was also a lifelong member of the First Christian Church in Baxter Springs.

Susie was best known among her friends and acquaintances for her ever-sharp sense of humor and artistic eye. She excelled at everything from sewing and tole-painting to stained glass - a craft that many women find physically challenging.

A lover of all things beautiful, she spent many hours combing flea markets for the perfect addition to her home, which remains as beautiful proof of her talents.

Susie is preceded in death by her father, Les Williams, mother and step-father, Peggy Swain Sweet and Jim Sweet, and only sibling, a younger brother, Kenneth Williams.

She is also survived by her husband and childhood sweetheart, Dean Derryberry; one son Michael Dean Derryberry of Dallas, Texas, daughter Lesli Ann Derryberry and son-in-law Saifi Ahmad of Karachi, Pakistan and daughter Diane Elizabeth Derryberry of Dallas, Texas, as well as three grandchildren who she adored, Meleha and Alina Ahmad and Alec Ortega.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at the First Christian Church in Baxter Springs. Pastor Gregg Childress and Rev. Joseph Walters will officiate.

Burial will take place in the Baxter Springs Cemetery and family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6:00-7:00 pm at Derfelt Baxter Chapel.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfunerlahomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made to a local organization which provides meals to the hungry. Checks may be made out to Trinity Worship Center and mailed to 23 East 16th Street, Baxter Springs, Kansas 66713. Please see program website for additional information at www.wordiam.org.

Derfelt Site has photo.

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City County
Joplin (map) Jasper County
Joplin Newton County

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