Dr. Sue King Fisher

Frances Sue Fisher, 87, died peacefully in her home on Sunday, October 18, 2015 surrounded by love and listening to the gospel music she so enjoyed. Sue (or FranSue, as her sister called her) was born to Scott Judson and Alice Dickerson King on October 21, 1927 in Abilene Texas. They moved to Amarillo on December 7, 1941 and she graduated from Amarillo High School. Her mother struggled for years with rheumatoid arthritis, which left her bedridden most of the time. Young Sue developed a friendship and admiration for her mother's doctor and he encouraged her to go to medical school to become an osteopathic physician. She had not previously considered that, as she was none too fond of math and science. However, she felt so strongly called to help others, she chose to move forward in faith and moved in with family back in Abilene to continue her education at Hardin Simmons University. She enrolled in what was then called the Des Moines Still College of Osteopathy & Surgery (now Des Moines University) and began her studies in 1948. Sue was the only woman in the Class of 1952. A dear friend and fellow female student said it was a true struggle to be in such a minority then. She shared, "Nine females was the greatest number in school at one time while I was at DMSCOS. Sue was adored by her classmates, and they respected her. The Class of '52 stuck together while in school and held many reunions over the years." One of those classmates recalled that she was like a sister to them. Moving from Abilene to Des Moines was a huge change for Sue and took a lot of courage. A lifelong Baptist, she sought out a church home almost immediately. During one service she heard a beautiful tenor voice singing behind her. She told the handsome man to whom the voice belonged how much she liked it. That man was Allen Michael Fisher, who was just a couple of years ahead of her in school, and he became her husband. After graduation, they moved to East Texas. Dr. Mike began his practice and Dr. Sue finished her residency while pregnant with their first child. Scott Allen was born in 1953. In 1964, the family moved to Stanton, where their daughter, Maureen Michelle was born. Dr. Mike and Dr. Sue were family practitioners and a surgeon and anesthetist, respectively. However, Dr. Sue especially enjoyed obstetrics. No one ever kept a complete count, but when she and Dr. Mike were nearing the end of their careers, they guessimated that together they had delivered over 2000 babies -- nearly the population of Stanton! Dr. Sue was known to take her time doing everything, and was rarely in a rush with her patients. She usually spent at least 30 minutes with each, and if they had concerns about things in their lives that might turn into an hour and a half. It didn't make for an efficiently run schedule, but she believed in treating the whole individual so she knew that included putting on her counseling hat now and then. She was known to take time after delivering babies to dance with them around the delivery room, welcoming them with love into the world. Her office wall had a huge bulletin board on it containing photos of those babies. Some of them had multiple photos pinned on top of each other, as she would care for them as they grew. When she retired in 1998, she felt a sense of pride knowing she had delivered as many as three generations of children into several families. She and Dr. Mike were active in the First Baptist Church in Stanton until they could not physically attend. True to her penchant for doing things differently, Dr. Sue sang tenor in the choir and often played piano, as well. Music, especially gospel music was a huge part of her life and she loved to sing about her faith. Dr. Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Mike, her sister, Mary Alice King, and her son, Scotty Fisher. She is survived and greatly missed by daughter, Michelle Hawn, her husband, John Hawn and their children, J.B. and Dean; her daughter-in-law, Susan Fisher; granddaughter Carrie Stephens, her husband, Michael Stephens and their daughters Scout and Dylan; grandson Scott Fisher and his son, Rio; granddaughter Sarah Fisher; and a multitude of extended family. The family extends inexpressible gratitude for her care team whose selfless and tireless compassionate devotion to her made it possible to stay in her home: Angie Aguirre, Juanita Avalos, Dolores Hernandez, Teresa Booth, Adela Cantu and Rosie Young. They also wish to thank the amazing team from Hospice Midland, especially Kellie Craft, who provided an extra helping of love, humor, comfort, respect and peace to Dr. Sue and our entire family during her final days. The family will receive guests on Friday, October 23, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Gilbreath Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at the First Baptist Church, Stanton at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 24, 2015. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Stanton. Arrangements are under the direction of Gilbreath Funeral Home of Stanton. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.