Suzanne Elizabeth Moxley, born 11-16-1951, was from the very start a girly, girl! Never one to play in the dirt, she loved her dolls, paper dolls, and playing bride, or princess, or Queen for a Day! I was always forced to play Miss America - I was Bert Parks, and she would put a frilly cancan on her head and walk through the hollyhocks like she was strutting on stage. She always won! And she never tired of looking at models in magazines, or coloring, or - worst of all - Brides Magazines! I recently told someone that Suzanne was the only person I knew who, at 10 years old, asked Santa for a subscription to Brides Magazine.
Suzanne inherited Mother's ability to sew, craft, and sing. She was always very precise in her crafting while I just wanted to get it done. I remember a Home Economics teacher who once asked me after I had turned in a rather sloppy notebook of sewing techniques, "Why can't you do things more like your sister?" My reply was, "The world doesn't need two of Suzanne!" I didn't fail the class, but didn't get an A either. With us being only 23 months apart and me being a tomboy we got along pretty well. We didn't compete for attention, or clothes, toys, or later, boys. And as we got older, I always knew Suzanne had my back - I just hoped I'd never need her to deck someone for me.
She and Michael Chalmers Thomas got married on 2-7-1981. They made their home in St. Joseph, Missouri where they have raised three children. Suzanne stayed at home until 2005 when she became the librarian at Coleman elementary school. She is still in the district teaching now at Oak Grove Elementary. She enjoys creating "vignettes of beautiful things" around her house, and spends time with her grandson Boston. Ever the eternal optimist, she is also planning her daughter's wedding - even though Molly is not yet engaged. You should see her Pinterest boards!