Susan Werner-Rawlins, 69, of Galveston, Texas, passed on June 16, 2023. Susan was born on August 27, 1953 in Galveston.

It is with a heavy heart that our family announces the passing of Susan Ann Werner Rawlins, age 69. She was a beloved Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother. Susan was a true force of nature, living life on her own terms. She was a retail salesperson at Nathan’s Department Store early on, a cocktail waitress at Rick’s, (it was rumored that Sweet Sue was Marvin Zindler's very favorite waitress to visit daily), and held counter sales jobs at many places. She met so few enemies, and without trying was always the life of the party.

Susan was a passionate individual who always followed her heart. She achieved her early lifelong dream of cross-country hitch-hiking to California, possibly due to a slight bit of rebellion ( Papa found her 2 days later after a 20 hour drive), and she was the proud owner of a 280Z before they were cool. Her words,"My life is fast and my car has to be faster"

In any room she found herself in, Sue commanded respect with her 6’ tall frame and her unique blend of laughter and stares. One of her most famous quotes that resonates daily with me is, "the last time I checked they ain't paying my damn bills". Her ability to command respect was an art. And in most cases if she had been a lady on a ship of male pirate's, she would have had them all blushing with her generally un-filtered way of conversating..

She was a walking phone book and calculator in remembering any math question or phone number request you could throw at her. As her Son, I can't say how many times she jumped in the middle of my disagreements with grown men, ready to throw down with the best of them to protect her Son who sincerely didn't need the intervention. 

She ran the streets of Houston and Texas City as if it were her own, always with humility, but also with a keen sense of direction. In her free time, she enjoyed candy, onion rings, Dr Peppers, socializing, driving fast, time with her cats, and hot summer days at the beach. She battled addictions throughout her life, but the most proud I have ever been is seeing clear thoughts and clear eyes for the last many years. We were not always a part of each others lives, but we always knew we were there for each other. Partial lyrics from the Black Crowes always brings my Momma and I back together through a song, that if I didn't know better, was written for just us 2. When played, I will always picture her head on my shoulder, apologizing for those years that actually just made her boy a stronger man. Her most cherished accomplishment was her beloved son, Beau Rawlins. I love and miss you Mom everyday. So do my kids, Gannon, Tucker, and Ava Grace.

In our memories you shall always live.

Black Crowes... She Talks to Angels (The words are to close for comfort at times)

"She never mentions the word "addiction"

In certain company

Yeah, she'll tell you she's an orphan

After you meet her family"

"She keeps a lock of hair in her pocket (I found my blond locks of my first haircut always in her purse)

She wears a cross around her neck

They say that the hair was from a little boy

The cross from someone she had not met

No, not yet"

Thank you to Meridian Assisted Living, UTMB, and especially Annette Boudreaux with Ascend Hospice Care and my friend DJ Termini with J. Levy Bros.. My Mom was surrounded by and traveled with peace having her Brother Richard Werner, Sister Jackie and Brother-in-law David Grassmuck, her Son Beau Rawlins, Renee Lindamood, and her Grandchildren Gannon, Tucker, and Ava Grace Rawlins by her side.

May Susan’s memory live on forever in our hearts.