Suzanne Brinn Woolwine

Suzanne (Suzie) Brinn Woolwine, age 89 of Nashville, TN entered into Heaven in the early morning of July 3rd, 2024. The daughter of Frank and Bertha Brinn, Suzie was born in Rock Island, IL, attended Augustana College and later graduated from Peabody College in Nashville.

Suzie met her lifelong love Emmons Hicks Woolwine Jr. while working as a flight attendant for American Airlines in 1956, when Emmons gave his airline meal to Suzie so she could eat dinner. They were married in Rock Island, IL the following year and had two children: Emmons Hicks Woolwine III (Skip Woolwine, dec’d 2019) and Katherine Christine Woolwine (Chris Bettis).

Suzie was a lifelong volunteer and homemaker, giving back to the community through organizations like Meals on Wheels, with her best friend Dugan Davis, and St. Luke’s Community House. She also volunteered regularly at This N That Thrift Shop for many years.

Suzie was very active in the Episcopal Church, particularly the congregations of St. George’s and St. Bartholomew’s. She served for several years as the president of the local ECW and as an altar guild member. She was also an active member of the Junior League of Nashville, Belle Meade Country Club, and the Centennial Club.

After losing Emmons in 1987, Suzie began to travel, visiting countries across Europe, Asia, and Central America, frequently bringing family and friends along with her, and instilling a wanderer's spirit in her grandchildren. Spending time with her family was her greatest joy. As well, she loved her devoted dogs: Burwood, Speckles, Abby, Gwen, and Lucy.

Suzie was preceded in death by her husband Emmons Hicks Woolwine Jr., son Emmons Hicks Woolwine III (Skip), granddaughter Rebecca Valerie Bettis, sister Patricia Brinn Hambleton, nephew Jeffrey Hambleton and great-nephew Theodore VanderNaillen. She is survived by her daughter Christine Bettis (Holt), granddaughter Brinn Bettis, daughter-in-law Trish Woolwine, grandsons Hicks Woolwine (Charli) and Huntre Woolwine (Grace), nephews Thomas Hambleton (Evelyn) and Randy VanderNaillen (Kathy), nieces Catey VanderNaillen Cumley (Steve) and Vicky VanderNaillen Davis, and a host of great nieces and nephews.

The visitation will be at 1:30pm on Thursday, July 11th at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 4715 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205. The funeral will follow at 3:00 pm and will be officiated by Rev. Margery Kennelly.

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Richland Place for providing exceptional love and care in Suzie's final years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke’s Community House (https://www.stlch.org/), Thistle Farms https://thistlefarms.org/pages/give), or Montgomery Bell Academy’s Theatre Department.