Susan Thompson Taylor

Susan Thompson Taylor, age 74, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 29, 2019, Blanchard St. Denis with Deacon John Whitehead presiding. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service and interment will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery.  Susan was born on April 25, 1944, in Alexandria, Louisiana.  She was a 1962 graduate of Natchitoches High School.  During high school she served as Editor of Signal Fires under the guidance of Mary Sloo Robson; Chinquapin Art Staff; a charter member of the Natchitoches Badminton Club; FBLA District, State and National Conventions; Le Cercle Francais Mardi Gras Court, Band, and numerous other organizations. In 1961, under the direction of her art teacher Birdie T. Landry, Susan’s artwork themed Christmas on the Cane was featured on the front cover of the Christmas Festival program.  Susan attended Northwestern State University where she graduated with both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science specializing in Business Education.  She was a member of Alpha Zeta Tri Sigma Sorority, serving her chapter as Rush Chairman, Corresponding Secretary, and President. Susan was a former member of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches as well as a former board member of the Northwestern State University Alumni Association.  She was Past President of Les Amies and Natchitoches Jaycee Jaynes and for nine years served as chairman of the Miss Merry Christmas Programs as part of the Christmas Festival.  Susan was also a member of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. As an active alum for the Alpha Zeta Chapter of Tri Sigma Sorority Susan assisted with planning the Alpha Zeta lodge and every year helped with the Bid Day Party, Thanksgiving dinner for collegians and Founders Day.  In the spring of 2013, she was awarded the Golden Violet for her lifetime commitment through her friendship and steadfast love of Tri Sigma Sorority for over 50 years. Susan taught school for a few years, but her career revolved around opening the first balloon delivery business in Natchitoches in 1982 and for 20 years owned the local Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio.  Being a small business owner, she provided employment for many college students, becoming their friend and mentor. Susan was an impeccable seamstress.  Utilizing her talent and creativity, she made hundreds of pieces of clothing for her children and grandchildren, utilizing only the best of fabrics.  This led her to open Oh Sew Taylored, where she would embroider and appliqué unique custom items with love and precision.    She was her children and grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader and supported them through all of their endeavors and activities. Susan is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, Griffin Taylor; three children Amanda (Steve) Roberts, Edward (Lyssa) Taylor, Gwen (Ched) Fontenot; nine grandchildren; Tyler, Taylor and Tatum Roberts; Ashley (Richard) Smith; Madeline, Caitlyn and Anna Claire Taylor; Andrew and Brenda Fontenot; two great-grandchildren, Bradin and Landon Smith.  Susan was preceded in death by her parents Edward Brooks and Dorothy Jennings Thompson. The pallbearers are Ched Fontenot, Steve Roberts, Tyler Roberts, Tom Roy, Don Stacy, and Russell Stacy.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children or the Louisiana 4-H Foundation.