Susan was born in Dallas, Texas to Samuel Roger Bridgwater and Merlene Lois Riner. She graduated from Crockett High School, then from Sam Houston State University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree, and again in 1974 with a Master of Arts degree. She lived most of her adult life in Houston and Katy, Texas, and spent most of her working life as a chemistry teacher at Spring Woods High School. She attended church at both Houston First Baptist Church and at Second Baptist Church West Campus. She taught Sunday school classes and worked for many years in the newborn nursery on Sunday mornings. She loved God, her family, and spent many hours reading and visiting museums.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents; grand-daughter Alana Scarlett Merlene Rodriguez; and daughter-in-law Ann (Goolsby) Shroyer. She leaves behind a large family including her husband, Joseph Frank Thielen; son John Andrew Shroyer; daughter Mary Merlene (Shroyer) Lindsey and her husband Brad Lindsey; daughter Johana Antonia Rodriguez; son Samuel Thomas Rodriguez; step-daughter Jennifer Marie (Thielen) Stathos and her husband Dan Stathos IV; and step-daughter Judith Elyse Thielen. She also had many grandchildren including Rebecca Merlene Shroyer; Rachel Christine (Shroyer) Wilson and her husband Cameron Wilson; Trina Grace (Lindsey) Richardson and her husband Matthew Loren Richardson; Payton Lindsey; Charles Frausto; and Jeremiah Reyna. She had one great-grand daughter Evelyn "Evie" Richardson.
She also leaves behind her brother Samuel Roger Bridgwater and his wife Mary Ann; niece Kay (Bridgwater), her husband Jerold Altic and their children Jacob and Judah; niece Jane Ann (Bridgwater), her husband Ralph Borde and their children Ruhi and Arav; brother William Earl Bridgwater and his wife Twyla; nephew Brandon Bridgwater, his wife Cherise and their children Samantha and Evangeline; sister Pat Bridgwater; niece Jennifer (Kooch), her husband Doug Holm and their children Stella and Will; brother-in-law, William (Bill) Roy Thielen Jr. and sister-in-law Patti Thielen; nephew Shea Michael Thielen and his wife Leilany (Lugo); nephew William Roy Thielen III, his wife Jennifer (Gauldin) and their children Evan and Paige; niece Michelle Rae (Thielen), her husband James Jordahl and their children Sydney and Zach; brother-in-law Michael Louis Thielen, his wife Mary Elizabeth (Atwell), and their daughter Mary Elizabeth "Beth".
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Second Baptist Church Second Loves Kids fund.
A viewing and visitation will be held Monday, July 20th, 2020, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, immediately followed by a graveside service at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079.
A celebration of life for Susan will also be held Monday, July 20th, 2020, at Second Baptist Church West Campus at 12:00 PM, 19449 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77094.
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