Beloved wife, mother and daughter, Suzanne Bailey Schoonover was called to her eternal home on March 1, 2021.

Suzanne was born September 17, 1951, to the late Harrison and Annabelle Bailey of Rock Port, Missouri. She married her love and life-long partner, Loren Steven Schoonover, on May 19, 1971 . . . even though his convertible GTO was a goner.

On July 6, 1979, Suzanne and Steve welcomed their daughter, Samantha, into the world. They had only one child, recognizing there was no need to tempt fate when they’d gotten perfection on the first try. (Ya’ll know Samantha is writing this, right?) They also loved as their own, Tanya Freelon (Raphiell) of Columbia, Missouri, and Elizabeth WhiteRose (Kale) of Shoreline, Washington.

Suzanne graduated from Rock Port High School in 1969. She attended Christian College in Columbia, Missouri, with her BFF, Jan Dernancourt. While at CC she met Kay Cooper Bond. “Woman” and Kay remained life-long friends to Suzanne and were a tremendous support to her, especially in the years following Steve’s death.

In 1982 Suzanne graduated with her M.Ed from the University of Missouri, Columbia. She enjoyed being a college girl so much, she continued working at MU for more than 35 years. She began her career there in the Ag Engineering Department, housed in T-12. The rag-tag bunch of colleagues and students she met in T-12 became life-long friends, many of whom she still kept in touch with. Among this group was a spirited woman named Lin Teasley, whom Suzanne spoke with almost daily . . . and whom Samantha would be totally lost without in these recent days.

Suzanne and Steve spent most of their married years in a weird, old haunted house – that Samantha never liked – in Hallsville, Missouri. They worked tirelessly to renovate and remodel the house and Suzanne spent many hours in her flower gardens. They were truly a site to see! The home also hosted many post-caroling Christmas parties with their Red Top Christian Church family and friends.

As a young girl, Suzanne joined the IORG in Rock Port and later became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, with dual membership in Rock Port and Ashland, Missouri. From 2005-2006 she served as the State Dean, Missouri Grand Cross of Color. In August 2020 she received her 50 year OES pin, something she was extremely proud of. Her Rainbow and OES sisters and brothers were family to her, and she cherished each of them.

She was a talented pianist, playing the piano or organ at several weddings throughout the years. She served as musician during her Rainbow and OES years as well. Anyone else remember the suitcase full of sheet music and sparkly shoes?

In 2018 Samantha married Travis Busch, whom Suzanne and Steve believed to be the best thing since sliced bread! They were also extremely overjoyed to gain three awesome grandchildren: Christian, Steven and Autumn.

Upon retirement, Suzanne became the Plant Lady in Residence at Cape Caranchua in Palacios, Texas. She enjoyed nothing more than playing in the dirt and growing her own botanical garden. She loved the birds and butterflies, but maybe not so much the biting red ants!

Samantha and Travis hope Suzanne won’t be too disappointed at their efforts to keep her plants growing . . . and maybe she’ll come water them when they forget.

Suzanne is survived by her daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Lucinda Rodriguez (Edward), Lisa Hase (Jamie), Sue Daugherty (Scott), Terry Wooten, Donna Wedel (David), Denise Schoonover; brother-in-law, Scott Schoonover (Jennifer); nearly-blood, Steven and Barbara Schrader; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Steve Schoonover; parents, Harrison and Annabelle Bailey; niece, Blair; brother-in-law, Tim Hase; as well as several extended family members.

“So . . . I was born; I blinked; and it was over. No buildings named after me; no monuments erected in my honor. But, I DID have the chance to know and profoundly love each and every friend and family member. I loved keeping in touch with as many of you as I could! How much more blessed could I have been? In the end, remember this . . . do your best. Follow your arrow. Make something amazing of your life; and never, ever stop dancing! Maybe you’ll decide to look for me in the evening sunsets or the earliest Spring Daffodils, or amongst the fluttering butterflies. I will surely be there, in some form or another. Of course, that will probably comfort some and antagonize others, but you know me . . . it’s what I do. Please don’t cry because I am gone; instead be happy I was here. I’ll see you again, at the other end of the Rainbow . . . bring your dancing shoes!! Love, Suzanne”

Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Correspondence may be sent to Dr. Samantha Schoonover, 802 Oriole St., Corpus Christi, TX 78418.