On January 17, 2021 Susan Joan Bithell Lyons of Deer Park WA, walked through the door marked the servants entrance and into the arms of the Lord she dearly cherished and loved. She passed away at home peacefully in sleep from natural causes. Sue had just celebrated turning 76 on December 29, 2020. She was born on December 29, 1944 at 8:02 PM at Deaconess hospital in Spokane WA to Cleo Juanita Bithell and Robert James Bithell. Sue moved around a lot as a child so when she settled in Deer Park WA in 1964 she said she would never move again in her life and resided in the same residence for 55 years. She graduated from Rogers High School in Spokane WA. She earned a degree, with honors, in graphic arts from Spokane Falls Community College, she also was a graduate of Children’s Institute of Literature. She retired from Columbia lighting in the Spokane Valley. She grew up attending the Christian Church with her family and accepted Jesus as her personal savior at a young age. As an adult she was a member of both the Deer Park Nazarene church and the Church of God in Deer Park. She enjoyed being very active and involved at Church. At the Church of God she sat on the board as church treasurer and started a youth program called bible mountaineers. She sat on the board as head of stewards and was on the church softball team at the Nazarene church. She was a long time Sunday School teacher and was well known as the vacation bible school “arts and crafts lady” at both churches. She loved all of her “kids” dearly and made each one feel special as she taught them the bible and to love Jesus. Over the years several children have come back to tell her that she was the reason they knew Jesus.
Sue had amazing talent and was always busy crocheting, knitting, drawing, or doing projects, always for someone other than herself. She had a beautiful singing voice and played the coronet. She was a gifted author who wrote several short stories and a series. She dreamed of being published. She had a love of animals, especially horses and dogs. She loved to travel and go on long drives. The Oregon Coast was one of her favorite destinations. Sue spent her weekends enjoying her children and later her grandchildren. She would drop everything to do anything for anyone of them and made each one a favorite. They knew they were loved. She will be remembered for her quick humor and for being very involved in all aspects of their lives, regardless of how challenging they might have been. She also loved spoiling her furry kids, Ange, Dais, and Sammee. She made it well known that her “favorite child” was her beloved toy poodle Angel.
Sue is survived by her brother Douglas Bithell, sister in lawMary Bithell, her daughters, Esther Marie Lyons, Wendi Sue Edwards, son in law Patrick Edwards, and Darci Mae Lyons, grandchildren Danial Jay Lyons, Abram James Lyons, granddaughter in law Molly Palermo Lyons, Maxton Edwards, Natasha Edwards, Zackary Edwards, Mitchell Edwards, great grandchildren, Nala Lyn Lyons and Cleo Sue Palermo Lyons and numerous nieces, nephews, cousin and close friends. Sue led by example in her daily walk with God, teaching her children to love Jesus, to be strong individuals who had the abilities to achieve their passions in life, to laugh (even at themselves), and the value in being a close family. Sue’s passing brings great sorrow, but there is peace and joy in knowing how privileged we all were to have known such an amazing person.
