Barbara Anne Johnson Suddath

Barbara Anne Johnson Suddath (94) died peacefully at home January 16, 2017. She was born in Boston, raised in Denver with her three siblings, and moved to Jacksonville with her husband Richard Harvey Suddath (Dick) in 1946. She is predeceased by her husband, her granddaughter Anne Elizabeth Suratt, her parents Barbara Braman Johnson Folmer and Stanley H. Johnson, her two sisters Phyllis Fleming and Gail Wallower, and her brother Stanley Johnson. She is survived by her daughters Barbara Suddath Strickland (Robert) and Julia Suddath-Ranne (Micheal), and her two sons Richard L. Suddath (Arlene Hegg) and Stephen M. Suddath (Danielle), eight grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who loved her very much.

Barbara graduated from high school at Chatham Hall in Chatham, Virginia and attended the University of Colorado where she met her husband of more than 70 years, Dick Suddath. She was an active member of her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, all her life. She finished her undergraduate degree at Jacksonville University in 1964 and a Master’s of Education degree at the University of Florida, specializing in specific learning disabilities. She taught at Dupont High School and was a founder of the Duval chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children, also serving as its President. She strove to provide new and innovative approaches to teaching students who learned in nontraditional ways, and her innate patience helped her excel in building life- long relationships with many of her students, who forever appreciated her dedication to their education.

She was a cradle Episcopalian and a dedicated and active member of All Saints Episcopal Church from 1946 until her death. She started the prayer ministry team, served on the Altar Guild for 50 years, was a member of the hospital and nursing home visiting team, and taught Sunday School. Throughout her life she cultivated her spiritual gifts and knowledge to bring her peace and to be of service to others. She was a person of much grace, wisdom, understanding, patience and contentment, beloved by her friends and family. She deeply appreciated all of God’s creations and was so calm around wild birds at her bird feeders that one even plucked hair out of her head to build a nest. And she never even moved.

She was a member of The National Society of Arts and Letters. She served as a volunteer for numerous community organizations and was actively involved in Friday Musicale, which offers free concerts to the public. She served on its Board for many years and with her husband helped rebuild the facility following a fire.

She and Dick were intrepid travelers, including camping and canoeing with the “Over the Hill Canoe Group”, frequent boating trips throughout Florida, hiking the Florida Trial, and taking wilderness canoe trips in Alaska and Canada. She was a woman of physical courage and fortitude who participated fully in life with enjoyment and gratitude. Barbara loved all kinds of projects, whether it involved helping people or building things. She fully restored an 1870’s house, turning it from a run- down structure into a beautiful and warm home. She “adopted” children, and at times adults, who needed special attention and care. Her dogs were her constant companions. She was a loving and well-loved woman who will be greatly missed by many.

Her memorial service will be held Saturday, February 4th at 11:00am at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4171 Hendricks Avenue followed by a reception in the Parrish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friday Musicale, 645 Oak Street, Jacksonville 32205 or to All Saints Episcopal Church, 4171 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville 32207. Hardage-Giddens, The Oaklawn Chapel, is serving the family.