Susan Elisabeth Kidwell

Susan Kidwell Obituary
Susan Elisabeth Kidwell died peacefully on 16 June 2024 at the age of 59 after a year-plus battle with pancreatic cancer. Born 15 March 1965 at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina, Susan moved several times with her military family before arriving in Northwest Florida in 1973, establishing her nearly life-time residency in the Fort Walton Beach (FWB) area.
Susan is preceded in death by her father, J.D. Kidwell, and mother, Anne (Hutcheson) Hall. She is survived by her sister, Sarah (Mike) Kidwell-Babineau, and brother, Andrew Kidwell; stepfather, Joseph Hall; step-sisters, Karen and Tracy Hall; nephews, Sean Babineau and Zachary Kidwell; step-nieces, Devon (Kyle), Madelyn, and Emma; and three step-grandnieces, Ophelia, Cadence, and Lennon.
Susan graduated from Choctawhatchee Senior High in 1983. She earned an A.S. in Dental Hygiene at Pensacola Junior College and also studied Business at Northwest Florida State College. Ultimately, she attended the University of West Florida, where she earned a B.A. in Special Education of the Emotionally Handicapped in 1996.
She began teaching in the communication, behavior and socialization unit at Ocean City Elementary working with pre-K through second grade students. Throughout her career, Susan worked in several schools in both the Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County school districts.
In her youth, she participated in the International Order of the King's Daughters and then continued giving back to her community through service in the FWB Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees). She attended Saint Simons on the Sound Episcopal Church and enjoyed participating in the church women's group activities.
Visitation and a celebration of life service with family and friends will be held at 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., 5 July 2024, at Davis-Watkins Funeral Homes & Crematory in Fort Walton Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Susan's name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.