Susan Shane Smith Tiller
DATE: Friday, October 7, 2011
TIME: 10 am
ADDRESS:
3115 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas
Obituary for Susan Shane Smith Tiller
Susan Shane Smith Tiller was born on September 21, 1940 in Corpus Christi,
Texas to Mabel Claire Fuqua Smith and Gerald Nelson Smith. She died on
October 4 after complications from cancer. Susan attended Sam Houston
Elementary School, Wynn Seale Junior High and W. B. Ray High School. She met
her husband, Lawrence Tiller, at Southwest Texas State Teachers College in
1958 and they married on September 2, 1960. They moved to Houston for Larry
to attend dental school. They returned to Corpus Christi where he set up his
practice. She went back to night school later and go her degree from Texas A
& M University Corpus Christi.
Susan and Larry celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family
including their three children, Gregory Todd Tiller (Cyndy) and son Edwin;
Teresa (Teri) Tiller Garrison with her son Kyle Lopez; Shane Smith Tiller
(Shelia) and their daughter Authumn and sons Gavyn and Gage. Susan was
predeceased by her parents Mabel and Gerald Smith and is survived by her
best friend in life, Larry Tiller, her sister Claire Smith (Al) Hook and
brother Gerry (Therese) Smith. She adored her nieces and nephews and great
nieces and nephews as they were all part of this wonderful close knit
family. Susan remembered fondly all over the state and beyond for her work
with Corpus Christi Area Council for the Deaf also known as The Deaf and
Hard of Hearing Center, and was the first Executive Director for twenty
seven years to 2005.
At her retirement the building on McArdle Road was named in her honor, The
Susan S. Tiller Building. She took a volunteer job and turned it into
providing services for the 88,000 people with hearing loss in the area. She
received many awards and accolades for what she has accomplished. Susan
returned to work at the center again, as Executive Director, in 2009 until
the present when a need arose. Susan was a lifelong member of First Baptist
Church. She served the community on many boards and will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will take place at First Baptist Church on Friday,
October 7 at ten o’clock.
Donations is Susan’s memory may be made to The Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Center, 5151 McArdle Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78411
CONTACT PERSON NAME: Mari Rivera
CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]