Susanne (Bailey) Eldridge

Susanne (Bailey) Eldridge, 70 of Fort Sumner, NM passed away Saturday, August 20, 2016 at Retirement Ranch in Clovis following an illness. A luncheon and celebration of Susanne's life will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, August 27, 2016 at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. It was Susanne's request that her family, friends, and co-workers come together to share a meal and fellowship. Susanne was born June 10, 1946 in Fort Sumner, NM the daughter of David C. and Annie Lee (Phillips) Bailey. She grew up in Fort Sumner where she graduated with the Fort Sumner High School Class of 1964. While in high school she was a football attendant, Pep Club president, participated in the Junior and Sophomore Play, Band Vice President, G.A.A. Annual Staff, and voted Friendliest Girl. Susanne worked for Zider Zee Restaurant in Amarillo, TX, at White's Warehouse in Shallowater, TX before returning to Fort Sumner where she worked in the family business, Dave's Grocery Store for many years. Susanne grew up working alongside her parents at the family owned store her entire life. According to her family, Susanne was a generous, giving person to anyone who had a need. She was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Fort Sumner Ex-Students Association, and De Baca County Chamber of Commerce. Susanne enjoyed genealogy, and U.S. history. She kept records of many De Baca County cemeteries and wrote a book about her findings. She built and replaced many headstones that had deteriorated in the rural cemeteries. She loved to travel and every year Susanne and her sister Karen travelled across the country to visit historical sites, civil war battlefields, national monuments and parks, they always made time to stop and visit relatives, family, and friends along the way. Susanne is preceded in death by her parents David and Annie Bailey, a daughter Ramah Beniak, grandson Ty Calvert Carlyle, and a nephew JoJo Steele. Survivors include a son Jerry Hart and wife Tricia of Roswell, a grandson Dylan Carlyle and wife Maria of Fort Worth, TX, two great grand daughters Karlee and Ariana Carlyle of Fort Worth, a brother David Bailey and wife Leslie of Fort Sumner, and a sister Karen Steele and husband Joe of Dunlap, NM. The family requests memorials in memory of Susanne Eldridge to Make A Wish Foundation of NM, 144 Louisiana Blvd, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Cremation will take place. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311.