Suzanne Taylor Childress

On June 20, 2023, Suzanne Taylor Childress passed away peacefully on Bainbridge Island after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 75 years old.

Suzanne was born on June 28, 1947, in Commerce, TX to Harry and Faynelle Taylor. She lived in Mt. Pleasant, TX for most of her youth, before the family moved to the Austin, TX area.

Suzanne met her husband, Leslie W. Childress, in early 1976 when both were living in Dallas, TX. They wed later that same year, and went on to become long-time residents of Bainbridge Island, WA where they raised their two children, Taylor Childress of Bainbridge Island, WA and Anne Childress Gibbons of Orlando, FL.

As a child of a librarian and an attorney, Suzanne grew up with a love and appreciation for books and education that she carried with her all her life. At any age, she could be found spending hours in a library or bookstore, pouring over the stacks for a good story.

Suzanne graduated from Austin High School and began her pursuit of higher education at Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, TX before going on to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. After college, Suzanne moved to Dallas and worked as an office manager for a law firm, happily sharing an apartment with life-long friends made at college. While working at the law library of Southern Methodist University, she met Les when he attended business school on the same campus. The two were married in the SMU chapel in September of 1976, and lived in Dallas together before relocating to the Pacific Northwest in the late 1970s.

Suzanne was an active member of the Bainbridge Island community for many years, where she could often be found at Rotary Park baseball games and BPA dance recitals. She was well known as an advocate in her children’s education, and for her 15+ year tenure as Registrar at Bainbridge High School. She was deeply dedicated to creating a home for her family that was warm and welcoming, often the place for all to gather.

Suzanne was a devoted friend to those she loved, diligently making time to cultivate friendships old and new. She remained closely connected to the Mt. Pleasant community all her life. She loved to collect apples, play Bridge with friends, read novels, and complete any kind of puzzle.

Above all, Suzanne was an exceptional and loving mother. She dearly loved her children, Taylor and Anne, and the time she had with them.

Suzanne is survived by her devoted husband, Les Childress of Bainbridge Island, WA; her son and daughter-in-law, Taylor and Courtney Childress of Bainbridge Island, WA; her daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Bobby Gibbons of Orlando, FL; four grandchildren: Carter & Caroline Childress, and James & Cameron Gibbons; brother and sister-in-law, Tim and Chessy Taylor of Mt. Pleasant, TX; and brother-in-law, Craig Childress of Gresham, OR.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Faynelle Taylor; and her parents-in-law, T.L. and Betty Childress.

A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, July 9 at Wing Point Country Club on Bainbridge Island from 2:00-5:00pm. Friends of Suzanne are invited to come by during this time and share memories.

Memorial donations may be made to:

Alzheimer’s Association

http://act.alz.org

Kitsap Regional Library Foundation

https://www.supportkrl.org/ways-to-give

For additional photos of Suzanne’s life and family, please visit http://suzannetaylorchildress.forevermissed.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Cook family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.