Susan Carol McKenzie (née McLeay), "Susan" to her friends, "Mama" to her sons, and "Granny" to her granddaughters, passed away at home at the age of 63 on April 15th, 2024. She is predeceased by her parents, Robert and Carolyn McLeay. She is survived by her husband, Gene, her sister, Anne, her sons, Rick, Chris, and Rusty, her stepsons, Kevin and Cody, and her granddaughters, Sierra and River.
She was born in Washington, DC, on September 9th, 1960, and her family moved to Tennessee in the early 1970s. Although she loved Tennessee and spent the majority of her life in Davidson County, specifically the Donelson community, she also loved the East Coast and spoke of it often. Some of her fondest early memories were of eating Maryland blue crabs with her parents and sister.
Susan became a mother for the first time with the birth of her first child, Rick, then welcomed two additional sons, Chris, and Rusty. She loved being a mother and always put her children before herself. She later became a grandmother with the birth of her son Chris' daughter, Sierra, followed later by River. She loved being Granny to Sierra and River, and referred to them as her "grand beauties". Her stepson Kevin and his wife Allison are expecting their first child later this year, and Susan was eagerly anticipating becoming a new Granny once more.
Susan's love of children and natural caregiving tendencies led her to a decades-long career in special education with Metro Nashville Public Schools. She worked in transportation as a special needs bus driver and retired in 2023. She loved being a bus driver, but she especially loved her students, and would speak fondly of them often. Her students loved her as well, and she continued to stay in touch with them over the years.
Susan loved to travel and usually made at least a few small trips per year. She loved visiting many places, but favored the Gatlinburg area of Tennessee, the Carolinas, Florida, Maryland, and Virginia. She also loved gardening, and summers would find her outside, tending to various flowers, bushes, and small trees. She took great pride in her home's appearance, inside and out; her hard work cultivated a welcoming presence for her visitors.
She had a special place in her heart for dogs, and they later became a large part of her life; starting with her rescued pooch, Buddy. Buddy was a part of her and her husband Gene’s life for many years. Later, they welcomed her beloved Pomeranian, Rocky, into their lives. She leaves behind her current pooch, Roxie, also a Pomeranian.
Susan had a passion for life, a wicked sense of humor, and a gregarious personality. She was often seen with a smile on her face, and a ready and welcoming "Hey y'all!". She will be dearly missed by her friends, family, and all those fortunate enough to know her.
A Celebration of Life was held on April 22nd, 2024, at American Legion Post 88 in Nashville, Tennessee.
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