Suzan Johnson Harris Blacksmith

Our beloved mother, Suzan Johnson Harris Blacksmith, went to live among the angels on Good Friday, March 29, 2013. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Steed Harris Burch and spouse Mike Burch; her son, William Sykes Harris III; her grandson, Jeremy Michael Burch; and her sisters, Patricia White, Melinda Mechior and Jane Miller. Suzan was born in Memphis, Tenn. on July 2, 1946. Because her father, Col. James E. Johnson, was an army judge advocate general, she lived all over the world, including Germany and Japan. In fact, she graduated from Camp Zama American High School in Japan. Suzan became a popular model in Japan until she fell in love with William Sykes Harris Jr. and chose to join him at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. They married their senior year. After graduation they settled into family life in Warren, Ark. They later divorced and Suzan relocated to Reno, Nev., where she married Wade Blacksmith. After his death, she moved to Nashville to be closer to her adult children. For many years she worked for Metro Nashville in various roles until severe, painful health problems forced her to retire. She lived the final years of her life in the same house with her children and grandchild, who will miss her greatly but are relieved that her suffering has ended. Suzan was preceded in death by her grandmother Mable Pilkington, father, mother Martha Pilkington Johnson, brother Jimmy Johnson, and two husbands. At the end of her life, Suzan didn't have a lot of money, but she was rich in love, and we ask that in lieu of flowers, you honor her life by donating to the faith-based Siloam Family Health Clinic, where 90 cents of every dollar gifted (tax deductible) goes to providing excellent health care by a staff of volunteer Vanderbilt doctors and nurses, to people who otherwise would have no health care at all. Someone very close to me (Beth) has been going to Siloam for over 12 years because they cannot afford insurance, yet recently received a complicated surgery that cost $100 rather than $7,000. Siloam exists only on donations, they take no federal funding, and it costs them $5,000 per day just to see patients. So please consider honoring my mother with a generous memorial in her name. For info on donating, please contact Lisa Ellis at 615-921-6114 or lisa.ellis@siloamhealth.org. Siloam accepts checks, credit cards, stock transfers, bank auto-drafts (preferred), etc. Please don't forget to tell them your name so I will know who to thank! Suzan's family loved her very much, and we pray that something wonderful comes from the loss of her life. God bless you all. Suzan's ashes will be interred at the Johnson Family Cemetery in Cash, Ark., following a short service at 1 p.m. May 18, all are welcome.