Susan Braden Brindle

Susan is survived by her loving daughters, Janice Jones (Sam), of Colrain, Mass., and Jill Ashmen (Jeff), of Bayville, N.J.; grandchildren, Henry and Everett Jones, of Colrain Mass., and Jackie Ashmen, of Bethesda Md.; brother Doug Braden (Shirley), of Henry, Tenn.; brother-in-law Bill Johnson, of Louisville, Ky.; along with several nieces and nephews, extended family and dear friends.She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rev. Robert (Bob) H. Brindle, and her sister, Barbara Johnson and her parents Cecil and Lotus Braden.

Susan was born on April 14, 1942, to Cecil and Lotus (Douglass) Braden in Louisville, Ky. She met Bob, the love of her life, partner in faith and best friend, on Valentine’s Day 1960, when she was invited to sing at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, in Stamping Grounds, Ky., where he served as pastor.While this was not the day they fell in love, God reunited Bob and Susan a few months later in Glen Burnie, Md., where Bob relocated to become pastor at Faith Baptist Church.As a young woman who loved, and lived by, her faith, Susan was sent to Glen Burnie as a summer student missionary.Their love blossomed, and were later married on Nov. 23,1962.

Bob and Susan were called to serve God in New England, where Bob pastored at South Burlington Baptist Church in Burlington, Vt.Together, they established Southern Baptist churches across Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.As Bob pastored new churches, Susan was always there, always helping and always serving God and others, by playing the piano, organ or autoharp during church services, and teaching church members how to lead Sunday School classes. She led Backyard Bible Clubs and Vacation Bible Schools in her own backyard and in churches across New England. In the 1980s, Susan served as the national Director of the Women’s Missionary Union.In that role, she facilitated women’s Bible studies and women’s missionary work across the United States.Bob and Susan also enjoyed hosting missionaries from around the world in their home.There was rarely a moment that they did not have guests staying with them and enjoying their hospitality.

Susan is remembered by all who knew her for her beautiful and constant smile, infectious laugh,extreme kindness, selfless service to others, and her faithful and joyful love of, and for, God.

In 2000, Susan and Bob retired to York, Maine.Following a challenging battle with cancer, Bob passed away in May 2007. Susan continued her ministry after Bob’s death, joining friends from her Bible Study group to travel to the Dominican Republic to establish a school with the Cercadillo Project. She also facilitated a vibrant weekly Bible Study, played piano at a church in Kittery, Maine, and served on multiple church committees.

Susan left her beloved New England and moved to Whiting, N.J., in 2022, to be closer to her daughter, Jill, after a stroke left her with physical challenges.She moved into The Pines Village,where she met, and was immediately loved by, many wonderful friends.

Susan was a woman of great and steadfast faith.She loved God, loved worshiping and loved serving Him every minute of every day.We will miss her dearly, but know without question that she has been welcomed Home into His loving arms, and has heard the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Family and friends are invited to gather for a time of visitation on Friday, October 4 at The Pines Village (509 Route 530; Whiting, NJ 08759) at 5:30pm; a memorial service will follow at 6:30pm. All who can are cordially invited to a celebration of Susan’s life on Saturday, November 23 (Bob and Susan’s wedding anniversary) at the First Parish Church in York, Maine (180 York St, York, ME 03909) at 11 a.m. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Susan’s memory to The Cercadillo Project at ssmfi.org/missionary/ina-york.