Susan Smith

Susan F. Dunlap Smith, 69, of Chandlersville passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home surrounded by her family and under the care of Genesis Hospice early in the morning of Friday February 6, 2026.

Daughter of the late Rev. Roy and Norma (Crane) Dunlap, Susan and her 10 siblings were raised by their loving parents in East Fultonham and later, Crooksville. Roy and Norma instilled a deep love of God in their children, a legacy that Susan carried through her life and passed down to her own children and grandchildren. Sue always had the heart of a servant and she spent her life giving beyond the call of duty to take care of her ailing parents, her father-in-law, and her own husband and sister when they became terminally ill. Like her father before her, Sue never met a stranger. To know her was to love her, and to be loved by her. She will be deeply missed by many.

Sue loved fishing on Lake Erie with her husband and love of her life, Denny. When they weren’t on the lake fishing, they were hauling a semi up the Eastern coast. Sue’s favorite run was their regular route through the Alleghenies to Buffalo, NY. There was always something about the open road and wind in her hair that called to that “wanderer” spirit of hers which she often told her grandkids about. When Sue and Denny were home, she kept busy supporting her home church by running summer concessions at Pick ‘n Save and making countless batches of her famous Peanut Brittle in the fall. She prided herself in the work she did and always considered every sacrifice “as unto the Lord,” volunteering each year for as long as she was physically able.

Sue is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dennis M. Smith Sr, her parents Roy and Norma, siblings Jerry, Jackie, Mike and Debbie, and her mother and father in-law, Wanda and Jake.

She is survived by her daughters Rebekah Gillespie and Crystal (Jason) Lewis; grandchildren Brittany (Kyle) Richard, Dakota (Tyler) Besser, Savannah (Mike) Rowland, Dillon (Krystal) Besser and bonus grands Andrew Lewis, Matthew (Savannah) Lewis, Grant (Emily) Rowland, and Landon Lewis; great grandchildren Harper, Armani, Coleson, Emersyn, Oakleigh, Layton and Finan; siblings Pat (Jim) Hall, Janet (Jim) Lewis, Dixie (Gary) Smith, Mark (Sue) Dunlap, Tamara Fischer and Terry Dunlap, as well as dear friends John (Lesley) Gillespie and a host of nieces, nephews, and countless others who affectionately called her “Grandma Sue.”

The family would like to extend our very heartfelt thanks to Becky and Selene of Genesis Hospice for the excellent care they provided.

Though Sue wasn’t always able to attend in-person, she loved to livestream services from The Anchor Church of Zanesville, Christian Life Center of Heath and Brownsville, and The First United Pentecostal Church of Zanesville. She also deeply cared about the homeless and was a supporter of Trulight Ministries of Zanesville. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting these ministries in Sue’s honor.

According to Sue’s wishes, her body will be cremated. The family is planning a celebration of life service for Saturday March 7th, 2026 at the Anchor Church of Zanesville. If you have memories or pictures you would like to share, you may send them to RememberingSusanSmith@gmail.com.