Susan Strong

Kind. Generous. Loving. Selfless. Humble. Caring. Playful. Nonjudgmental. Friend. Mother. Christian. Susan Jo Masters Strong was all these things and so much more. She never met a stranger and always asked people questions that demonstrated her sincere desire to know and understand them better. These qualities helped her excel as a teacher, mother, friend and real estate agent in Montgomery, Alabama, where she lived since 1981.

Born in Storm Lake, Iowa, Susie spent much of her childhood in Williamsport, Indiana, and was a graduate of Huntsville (AL) High School and Northwestern University. Susie taught elementary school before becoming a mother in 1972. She dove headfirst into that role, volunteering to be a part of everything her three children were involved in—coaching soccer, years of PTA, carpooling, children’s theater, and numerous YMCA programs (Hi-Y, Blue Ridge Values Conference, Youth Legislature, and others). She also volunteered with the Birmingham Zoo, Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, YMCA Britton Board and too many other organizations to name. Susie was involved whenever and wherever she could be, and she always did it with a contagious smile and loving hug.

Once her children were (mostly) grown, Susie ventured into real estate. As a realtor for nearly 30 years, she always went the extra mile to treat her clients as family and helped hundreds find and sell homes throughout the Montgomery area.

Susie loved the Lord with all her heart. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church where she served in the Lay ministry, sang in the choir, and participated in the Forester Class and her loving Covenant Group.

Susie was preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Lucina Masters, husband Hampton Kicklighter, and sisters Cynthia Carver and Mary Ellen Galloway. She is survived by her children Peter Strong (Ileana); Katie Hays (Philip); Betsy Waudby (Bill); beloved stepchildren Caroline Kicklighter and Hampton Kicklighter; brother-in-law Joseph Kicklighter; grandchildren Perry Strong and Nicolette LaVista; Philip II and George Hays; Nicole Waudby; Michael Kicklighter; Alex, Jackson and Sam Kicklighter; and many precious nieces, nephews and friends.

Susie was called home to God’s Kingdom on Monday, January 8th, 2024, after a brief illness. A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, January 14th at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery. The family will receive friends at the church at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church Music Program (https://pushpay.com/g/fumcmontgomery?src=hpp) and the YMCA of Greater Montgomery (Blue Ridge: Donation (http://www.myym.ca/give-cvc). The family would like to extend special thanks to the caregivers and staff at Fair Haven Methodist Home in Birmingham who provided loving care for her since last April.