Suzanne Hall Mizell

1946 - 2024

Suzanne Hall Mizell

May 12, 1946 - December 23, 2024

Suzanne Hall Mizell passed on Monday, December 23, 2024, in Joy House at the Bridgewater Retirement Center. She was lovingly surrounded by all her dear family.

The family will receive friends January 24, 5 to 7 p.m., at Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater, VA. Suzanne's Celebration of Life will be January 25, 11 a.m., at the Bridgewater Presbyterian Church with The Reverend Kate Rascoe officiating.

Suzanne was born Sunday, Mother's Day, May 12, 1946, in the Martha Jefferson hospital in Charlottesville, VA. Suzanne began her sweet life born by candlelight due to a power outage. She lived a life rich with kindness and smiles that would, like a candle, light up any room anywhere. She was predeceased by parents, William Farrar Hall III and Cornelia Maupin Hall.

Beloved Wife, Mom and Grandma Suzanne is survived by husband, Tom; and children, Tommy (Linda), Mike (Amanda) and Clay (Kim), who blessed her with much-treasured granddaughters, Emma Faith and Lily Grace. Surviving are brothers, Bill Hall (Mary), Jeff Hall (Kathy) and Dave Hall (friend-Maria); sister-in law, Linda Maupin (Kenneth); dear cousins, nieces and nephews. She had a wondrous love for children. During walks in the parks, and even shopping, she always made a beeline for children. Such a love for children, may it be contagious.

She graduated from Lane High School in 1964 and attended Longwood College. She initially worked for the University of Virginia Hospital Outpatient Department and then the UVA Office of Financial Aid working in the Rotunda. In February 1968 she married Tom and they shared over 56 years of a Joyfull life in Charlottesville, VA, Harrisonburg, VA, Oxnard, CA, and Quantico, VA as a US Navy wife, Winchester, KY, as a US Forest Service wife and the last 50 years in Bridgewater.

She helped raise three younger brothers, raised three sons and often considered Tom as 'still a work in progress." Suzanne and Tom joined the Bridgewater Presbyterian Church in 1975 where she enjoyed Worship, Choir, Adult Sunday School, Women's Circle, keeping the nursery and teaching Youth Sunday School. She enjoyed a life of faith with a dear, wonderfully supportive church family.

Suzanne loved the outdoors and joined a garden club in the 1970s that enabled her to teach her husband about wildflowers through many trips to places like Big Meadows and South River Falls. She was an active member (40-plus years) in the Family Community Educators (FCE) serving numerous offices and as President for many years. She loved helping select high school recipients for FCE scholarships. Suzanne was a member of the Shenandoah Valley Doll Club and as President for many years. She was the junior member and the glue that kept the ladies together for several fun-filled years. She was very knowledgeable about dolls and helped host doll shows and shared enjoyment of doll collecting throughout the Valley.

Suzanne loved vacations. The family treasures memories of vacations to the Outer Banks with extended family and friends. "Ocean Front rooms please!" Suzanne became a local legend in Manteo, NC, as she often sat beside walking areas comprised of ocean dredged shells. She sifted through shells and introduced many vacationers to shark's teeth fossils hidden within. Back home she supported her family in all their varied interests. She enjoyed the boy's sports, scouting and school activities. She loved thrift stores and enjoyed the other shoppers. Christmas was pure Joy. In those winter days before Christmas she excitedly shopped for her family and relatives. Before January arrived she was shopping for the next Christmas! She loved music. The last musical event she attended was our Church Christmas Cantata at Lantz Chapel.

Fall drives to Highland County and throughout the Valley to see fall colors brought much joy. For many years we enjoyed "The Majestic View Loop" beautiful drive west of Bridgewater. Suzanne also shared in Tom's hobbies as she enjoyed the Shenandoah Valley Archeological Society and the Rockingham Bird Club. From prehistory in the Shenandoah Valley Eagle trips into West VA, lunches to watch ducks at Silver Lake, walks to see owls at Wildwood Park, checking bluebird houses at the fairgrounds with her granddaughters, to hummingbirds at our feeders, she enjoyed them all.

Suzanne was a full-time Mom and loved that blessing of Motherhood. Even so she ventured into part-time jobs, work that brought her kind ways and cheerful smile to others. Suzanne's first local job was at Valley Convenience Store in Bridgewater (next to the Historical building), a neat small grocery store. For several years she volunteered at Trinity Presbyterian Church working with young girls in ARC programs. In the 1980s she worked part-time in radio sales. Her family listened intently to the radio ads she sold, particularly at holiday times. She worked at the Virginia Made Shoppe and in the 1990s at Crossroads Country Store and Gift shop. Suzanne met many tourists and was always happy to share information about Virginia. Her last employment was at Bridgewater Retirement Center (BRC) as she served in The Stevens Cafe. Tom went there often and was always proud to see her beaming at work, serving with a welcoming grace and smile.

In later years her true joy was when her granddaughters were born and she was able to spend time with them and the rest of her family. Her smile that was already tops, became even more extraordinary with the arrival of Emma and Lily. Oh the joy unleashed. Keeping our grandchildren when they were young and watching them grow are truly wondrous gifts that delighted Suzanne and Tom.

In the last several years Suzanne suffered from dementia and Joy House became home. We were greatly blessed by friends that walked the walk with us in a multitude of loving caring ways. Suzanne was awarded the Best Smile award in 2023 and 2024 at Joy House. During her first week at Joy House as Tom left one evening he introduced himself to a resident. The resident said "Oh yes I know your wife. She is the one that is smiling all the time." Her gifts now touched Joy House and BRC! The BRC held many functions that Suzanne enjoyed. We danced at our second "Senior" Prom. The caring staff and the other dear residents and their loved ones became part of our wonderful family. Thursday Hymn Sings, Friday Fit and Fab exercise and Sunday Vespers became part of weekly Joys. They all kept her smiling as she was surrounded by compassionate loving care and friendships. The family is very grateful for the love and care Suzanne received at BRC and especially from the Joy House Staff.

A special heartfelt Thank You from our family to the following: Dr John Witman and staff at Rockingham Family Physicians; Dr Tracy Moll and staff at Sentara RMH; Valley Program for Aging Services; Generations Crossing Adult Daycare and our many friends.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Bridgewater Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, St Jude Children's Research Hospital or The Alzheimer's Association.

Johnson Funeral & Cremation Service

208 S Main Street, Bridgewater, VA 22812