Susan Haynes Stratton

Susan Haynes Stratton

Susan Haynes Stratton of Richmond, formerly of Waynesboro, Virginia, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her husband and daughters on Friday, April 22, 2011.

Susan is survived by her husband of 40 years, Eddie Stratton Jr.; and daughters, Jane Meredith Batson of Arlington and Ann Kathryn Johnson of Richmond; two sons-in-law, Robert Batson of Arlington and Graham Johnson of Richmond; and one grandson, Thomas Walker Batson of Arlington.

She was preceded in death by her father, Oscar Haynes of Reidsville, North Carolina, and is survived by her mother, Annie Grey Haynes, also of Reidsville. She is survived by an aunt, Jewel Dallas and her husband, Billy, of Reidsville; an uncle, Robert Haynes and his wife, Libby, of Greensboro; an aunt, Mary Angel of Escondido, California; an uncle, Billy Haynes of Columbia, South Carolina, and his wife Margaret; and also, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Susan was blessed with many friends in Richmond and Waynesboro, and also a special friend, Peggy Ricketts of Waynesboro.

Susan was born in Reidsville, North Carolina, where she grew up and attended High Point University in High Point, North Carolina, where she met Eddie. Susan taught early childhood education and kindergarten in Danville, Charlottesville, Augusta County and Waynesboro. After their marriage in 1972, they spent 30 years in Waynesboro, where Susan started and served as the First Director of the Pre-School at First Baptist Church in Waynesboro for 13 years. She also taught school in the public schools of Waynesboro before moving to Richmond. Susan's love of flowers and her membership in the Rosecliff Garden Club were special joys to her and she won many awards for her arrangements. Her home in Richmond was a special joy for the flower gardens that Susan maintained.

In 2002, Susan and Eddie moved to Richmond where Eddie became the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer for the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. They joined First Baptist Church and Susan made many special friends in the church and the Buddy Hamilton Sunday School Class. In Richmond, Susan was a Bridal Consultant for Jingles, an unexpected joy that found her, and she flourished in her role at Jingles and with the brides she helped.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at First Baptist Church, Richmond, Monument Avenue and Boulevard Avenue. The service will be led by Dr. James Sommerville and Dr. Bill Wilson and assisted by Dr. John Upton and Dr. John Chandler.

The family will receive friends after the service where a reception will be held. Friends may also call at the residence.

In addition to the friends of First Baptist Church, Richmond and Waynesboro, the family would like to thank the staff of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and the many friends the couple have made through the Baptist General Association of Virginia churches; also, the staff of HOPE and Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions can be made to the Endowment Fund of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board in memory of Susan, 2828 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23294 or the Pre-School Program of First Baptist Church, 301 South Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980 or the Pre-School Program of First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220.


This obituary was originally published in the News Virginian.