Ida Sue ‘Susan’ Pitchford Finch obituary

Ida Sue ‘Susan’ Pitchford Finch, 89, of Hutto, Texas, went to Heaven on May 30, 2025. She slipped away peacefully after a brief illness, surrounded by all of her loved ones.

Born Aug. 14, 1935, in Ratcliff, Arkansas, Susan was the fifth of eight children of Lester and Amy Blaylock Pitchford. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service is 11 a.m. Saturday at the Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Heavener with Pastor Brock Hardin officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

In 1945, her father was hired by the Missouri Railroad Company and relocated his family to Van Buren, Arkansas. Susan graduated from Van Buren High School with the class of 1953 and then worked as a legal secretary for the Batchelor & Batchelor Law Firm until her first child was born.

Susan and Jesse Charles ‘J.C.’ Finch, childhood friends through his bond with her family and the close-knit community, were always destined to spend their lives together. They married Dec. 18, 1954 at the First Baptist Church in Van Buren. Their passion for embracing new challenges led them across the country with J.C.’s aerospace career. With each move, Susan diligently packed up their home, resettled, and ensured their daughters adapted and thrived. An independent, adventurous spirit, Susan’s strength grew and flourished as she traveled to new places.

Following their final move to St. Charles, Missouri, Susan embarked upon a career at Southwestern Bell. She retired in 1995 as a highly respected and well-loved manager. In retirement, she enjoyed reading and spending time with her husband, daughters and grandchildren who deeply loved their ‘Noni’. Later in life, Susan settled in Texas with her daughter, Brenda Finch. She treasured the frequent time spent with her grandson, Jess West, whom she considered a son, and who saw her as a second mom.

Susan’s gift for listening and offering a kind word or smile put everyone at ease. Her gentle wisdom made her a trusted counselor, guiding loved ones and strangers alike with compassionate advice. Her love and warmth touched the hearts of everyone she met.

Susan is survived by her daughters Brenda S. Finch of Hutto, Texas, Ronee K. Finch of Austin, Texas, and Pamela J. Morris and husband Dan of Chesterfield, Missouri; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren Jesse M. West, David Peterson, Aimee Leach, Jenifer Svoboda, Grant Morris, Natalie Dorman, Evan Morris, Pierce Dorman, Tyler Morris, Danielle Morris, Bella Finch, Kya Peterson, Cash Finch, Layla Botello, Victoria Leach, Olivia Leach, Noelle Svoboda, Jesse J. West and Bryce West; her sister, Helen Deffenbaugh, of Poteau; her brother Bill Pitchford and wife Lynne of Heavener, Oklahoma; her sisters-in-law Pat Pitchford of Bossier City, Louisiana, and Norma Pitchford of Poteau; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Susan is preceded in death by her parents Amy (Blaylock) and Lester K. Pitchford, Sr.; her husband of 60 years, Jesse C. Finch; her brothers Bobby Pitchford, Earl Pitchford and L.K. Pitchford Jr.; her sisters Wanda Faye Richmond and Bexta Jean Pitchford; her brothers-in-law Carl Richmond and Edwin Deffenbaugh; her sister-in-law Patsy Pitchford, and her nephew Keith Pitchford.

Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Pitchford, Mike Richmond and Gary Pitchford.

“Rest in peace, Sue. May your strong and loving spirit surround us all and be the wind beneath our wings”.

A visitation will precede the service from 10 to 11 a.m. and luncheon will follow the service at Heavener First Baptist Church.

To sign Susan’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.