Susybelle Wilkinson Lyons

Susybelle Wilkinson Lyons

SHREVEPORT, LA - Susybelle Wilkinson Lyons died in her home on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 after a long and happy life. Following a private burial, a memorial service will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2007 at the All Souls Unitarian Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 3rd at Osborn Funeral Home, 3631 Southern Avenue.

Susybelle was born in Shreveport to Margaret West and William Scott Wilkinson on October 5, 1923, and lived here most of her life. She was educated in Shreveport public schools and attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri and the University of Texas where she was a Pi Beta Phi. She was married and divorced from Charlton H. Lyons, Jr., with whom she bore and raised six children.

Susybelle actively supported many local organizations, including, the Shreveport Symphony, the Shreveport Opera, The Little Theater, and the YWCA Family Violence Program, with her time, money and creative expertise. One of her great loves was tennis. She was a founding member of the Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club where she flipped hamburgers before the Club could afford a kitchen staff. She spent many happy hours at the Club playing tennis and enjoying the company of family and friends.

An accomplished seamstress and a fine gardener and cook, she was creative with everything she did. She made many of her own clothes and took pride in copying couture patterns, adding her own unique flair. Her sewing skills were especially well expressed in making costumes for her children's special events and for herself, mostly at Halloween (one of her favorite holidays.) She enjoyed working in her beautiful garden, which she created herself from scratch, and shared happily with appreciative guests; and she provided many fine meals to her family and friends using fresh vegetables from her own vegetable garden.

She also loved to travel and in her lifetime went to many unusual places throughout the world such as China, Europe, Morocco, Scandinavia, Turkey, Africa and Cuba as well as most states in this country including Alaska and Hawaii. She took great joy in her grandchildren, taking each of them on their own special trip to the place of their choice, limited only by what she herself would enjoy – which didn't leave out much.

Susybelle loved the arts, music and anything beautiful. She loved people and dogs, children and parties, and above all – laughter. Her generosity, sense of humor, and love of life will long be remembered.

She is survived by her six children and their spouses: Susybelle L. Gosslee, Stafford Lyons (Henry Offermann), Charlton H. Lyons, III (Dianne Lewis Lyons), Sally L. Wood, Laurie W. Lyons (Henry C. Walker), and Marian L. McGoldrick (Bruce McGoldrick). Also surviving her are her thirteen grandchildren: John W. Gosslee (Carrie), M. Scott Gosslee (Susan), and Susybelle Gosslee Zook (Richard); C. Havard Lyons, IV (Nellie), Alden Lyons Murphy, Peter M. Lyons, Lewis W. Lyons and Parker H. Lyons; Stafford Wood Kendall (Jed); Clay Walker (Sherry), M. Grey Walker and Alston L. Walker; Michael Ryan Parks; & thirteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Wilkinson Wilson.

The family wishes to especially thank the sitters who were her companions for the last years of her life. They tended to her every need and comforted her during the last days. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the YWCA Family Violence Program, The Shreveport Symphony or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. OSBORNFUNERALHOME.NET, 318-865-8426