Susan Cheney

Susan Kathryn Handley Cheney was born on March 4, 1916 in Chandler, Oklahoma to Gillespie and Hysa Belford Handley. She moved with her family to Raymondville, Texas in 1929 where she graduated from high school in 1933.\r\n \r\nShe passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Sunday, December 9, 2018 in Kerrville, Texas where she has resided with her children since 1996.\r\n \r\nSusan was preceded in death by her father, Lespie Handley; mother, Hysa; aunt and uncle, Marguerite and Denny Bullock; husband, Rayburn Cheney; brothers, Marshall, John Handley (Cleo), and Robert Handley; sister, Caroline Handley; daughter-in-law, Pryor Ann Cheney; and son-in-law, Joe Herod.\r\n \r\nShe is survived by daughters, Barbara Herod, Shelley Smith, and son, Rick Cheney; sisters, Virgina Casber (JT), Lahoma Horn, Georgia Ashworth, Mary Handley, and brother, Harrison (Janis).\r\n \r\nShe is also survived by grandchildren, Randy Gregory (Cindy), David Gregory (Sandra), Parris Cheney, Hysa Reagan (Clyde), Rikki Kitchens, Brandon Smith, Shedell Giddens (Michael), John Rayburn Cheney (Sherri), Jason Cheney, Ginger Cheney, Jared Cheney (Chelsea), Pilar Gregory and Suzie Campbell (Richard); great-grandchildren, Joshua Gregory (Ashley), Sarah Sims (Trey), Benjamin Gregory, David Gregory (Hannah), Kyle Hayes (Chad), Jacob Reagan (Sabrina), Miranda Reagan, Joanna Reagan, Carly Kitchens, Kev Kitchens, Luke Smith, Sydney Smith, Austin Cheney, Allie Cheney, Abigail Giddens, Garrison Giddens, Colten Cheney, Caden Cheney, Cash Cheney, Barry Campbell (Shannon), Robin Spencer (Dee) and Leah Staeb (Kevin); great-great-grandchildren, Kensley Gregory, Carter Gregory, Easton Gregory, Baron Gregory, Brantley Sims, Kyndall Sims, Layne Hayes, Arabella Reagan, Briley Campbell, Tyson Campbell, Aiden Spencer, Cassidy Spencer and Jordan Staeb; and numerous nieces and nephews.\r\n \r\nAfter the death of her husband when she was 49, this remarkable lady went to college at Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She then decided to go to Texas A&I in Kingsville where she earned her Masters Degree. She followed that with a successful teaching career in Texas public schools that spanned nearly 30 years, as well as teaching Sunday School during that time.\r\n \r\nShe unselfishly cared for her ailing mother and aunt for many years and was a major influence in shaping the lives of not only her own children, but her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and more recently her great-great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.\r\n \r\nThis extraordinary, gracious lady touched everyone she met with her positive, encouraging and tender spirit by blessing them with selfless love and pure devotion. She was the go to person her family always went to for spiritual advice, life lessons, and even homework until shortly before her death. One small piece of advice she always had was "Pretty is as pretty does." It was her motto! If anyone was ever feeling low or lacking in self confidence, Susan was the lady to pick you right back up and let you know how special you were! Sometimes we didn't even know we needed her talk and once she was finished we all felt great! Susan, or also known as GG, was very sweet indeed but she had a sass and a spunk that kept everyone on their toes!\r\n \r\nTo say that this amazing lady will be missed would be an understatement and as anyone who ever had the good fortune to know her would agree just to know her you would immediately love her. In her short time at River Hills Rehab Facility, she made numerous friends with the staff, residents, and their families. They soon became family and that is just how GG wanted it.\r\n \r\nSusan was a lifelong Christian becoming a Baptist in her twenties and has led her family into that faith. She could be found at hospitals or rehab facilities telling people about how good God has been to her and her family. She wanted everyone to experience knowing Jesus and that was her mission!\r\n \r\nThe family would like to thank everyone at River Hills Rehabilitation Facility and Alamo Hospice for loving our GG and caring for her the way you did. We will always be grateful.\r\n \r\nVisitation will be held from 5-7 PM, Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at Grimes Funeral Chapels.\r\n \r\nServices will be held at 10 AM, Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at First Baptist Church officiated by Pastor John Hiddema. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery.\r\n \r\nPallbearers will be Randy Gregory, David Gregory, John Rayburn Cheney, Jason Cheney, Jared Cheney, Brandon Smith, Michael Giddens and Clyde Reagan. \r\n \r\nHonorary pallbearers will be Joshua Gregory, David Gregory, Benjamin Gregory, Jacob Reagan, Kev Kitchens, Austin Cheney, Luke Smith, Garrison Giddens, Trey Sims and Chad Hayes.\r\n \r\n