Helen Susan “Susie” Moseley Farris, age 74, of Batesville, Ark., died peacefully on August 14, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 31, 1949, to the late Guy Woodson and Sara Grey Atkins Moseley.
Susie graduated from Batesville High School in 1967, where she was a cheerleader and was elected Homecoming Queen. She received a B.A. in elementary education in 1971 from Hendrix College, where she was a cheerleader and GTAHAH maid. While at Hendrix, Susie met her future husband, Phil Farris of Fort Smith, and they enjoyed 52 wonderful years together.
After Phil graduated from law school, they moved to Batesville, where Phil practiced law. Susie enjoyed volunteering in the community and was very involved in her daughters’ school and extracurricular activities. She was a member of Chapter Z, PEO Sisterhood, where she served as president. She was a dedicated member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where she served three terms as senior warden of the vestry. She was a voracious reader, she passed this love down to her children and grandchildren. She cherished her friends and greatly valued the time she spent with them.
Susie was devoted to her husband and daughters, and there was much love, laughter, and happiness in their home. Susie was thrilled to be “Grammy” to her five grandchildren, and she delighted in frequent family gatherings. Susie and Phil loved to travel and enjoyed many happy trips together on their own and with family.
Susie laughed on the phone daily with her sister, Mary Ann Critz. Susie and Mary Ann were best friends in life, sharing a closeness that kept the conversation flowing and the laughter as a backing soundtrack to their lives. This model of love had a profound and lasting effect on the sibling relationships of their children.
She is survived by her beloved husband and constant companion in life, Phillip Bushman Farris, and her precious daughters, Sara Ann Farris, Little Rock; Elizabeth Pierce Farris Bumpers (Fuller), Batesville; and Lucinda (Lucy) Grey Thompson (Paul), Little Rock. Her cherished grandchildren are Susan (Susie) Moseley, Elizabeth (Betsy) Grey, and Mary Farris Bumpers, Batesville; Andrew McCord and Sara Katherine Thompson, Little Rock. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Ann Critz (Jay), Little Rock; nieces Susan Myrick Critz Guthrie (Paul), Louisville, KY; Mary Margaret Critz, Roanoke, VA; Catherine Atkins Critz Snyder, Fayetteville, AR; and Miranda Moseley Critz Greear, Roanoke, VA. Great nieces and nephews: Wally and Anna Guthrie; John and William Snyder; Tasha Miller; and Molly, Libby, and Charles Greear. Special family members include Bonnie Bumpers, Paula Bumpers, and Pierce Farris.
The family would like to thank the following health care providers at WRH for providing excellent care and support for the family during Susie’s brief and sudden illness: Justin King, ARPN; Alice, ER nurse; Betty Adams, RN; Dr. Amanda Johnson; Dr. Jordan Weaver; Dr. Rachel Joseph; and Dr. Bob Walton.
Susie always viewed the world with optimism and gratitude, and she felt that she was the luckiest person in the world. Our hearts are broken, but we are so grateful to have had her in our lives.
Father Jim McDonald will conduct a graveside service at Oaklawn Cemetery on Tuesday, August 22, at 11:00 a.m. under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Batesville, AR; Special Olympics; and Children’s Home, Inc., Paragould, AR.
