Susan Smith Bateman

Susan loved and served the Lord and others her whole life. She loved her husband, three daughters, five grandchildren, and her many friends. She was so proud of them all and was always caring for them. She loved Tallowood Baptist Church, her Sunday School, Supper Club, and Baylor University. She was known for her sweet, generous spirit. She used the gifts God gave her to further His kingdom’s work, especially through teaching. She touched many lives through teaching others and supporting them in various endeavors.

Susan grew up in Fort Stockton, Texas, moving to Houston for high school and graduated from Bellaire High School. She then went to Baylor University, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She graduated from Baylor University in 1962 and continued to be a committed alum and sports fan. After graduating from Baylor, she married the love of her life, Clint Bateman. They built their life in Houston, and she taught 2nd grade elementary school for several years. She then went on to teach preschool and become Director of the Preschool at Tallowood Baptist Church. She invested and poured into the lives of those students. She also taught Ladies Sunday School for more than a decade and was the director of the Ladies Weekday Bible Study, “Joy of Living”, at Tallowood. Through her gift of teaching, she impacted so many people.

As a married couple, Susan and Clint formed lifelong friendships with several couples with whom they raised children and vacationed through the years. Their friends became an extension of their family. She also traveled internationally with Clint and their friends. She was a true and devoted friend. Her friends and family could always count on her to be present, offer support, and counsel wisely.

She is survived by her daughters, Stacie Crowson of Houston; daughter and son-in-law, Robyn and Will Driskell of Waco; daughter and son-in-law, Kara and Michael McDuffie of Houston. She was affectionally known as “Gram” to her five grandchildren: Hailey Crowson, Blake and Rachel Driskell, and Marshall and Matthew McDuffie. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Clint, her sister, Sharon, her niece, Tammy, and her parents, E.W. and Margaret.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Tallowood Baptist Church, 555 Tallowood Drive, Houston, Texas, on Saturday, June 11 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Susan’s honor to Tallowood Baptist Church.