Sue Rath's Obituary
Sue Rath, 78, of Garland, Texas passed away on July 14, 2020 after a 14-year journey with Alzheimer’s disease. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a celebration of her life will be held once we can all safely gather again, and all who want to participate can attend. She was born on September 18, 1941 to I.H. and Evelyn Amacker in Poplarville, Mississippi, and spent her formative years in Orange, Texas graduating from Lutcher Stark High School in 1960. She would always say to those who’d listen and to her family full of native Texans – “I wasn’t born here, but I got here as fast as I could”. Sue was a creative force with a truly kind and compassionate spirit. She led by example, always listened and empathized, and shared her great wisdom, not by telling or preaching but through thoughtful questions that helped bring clarity to the situation at hand, led you to understanding, and empowered you to take the right path forward. When asked what her best feature was, she said “my smile” and she shared her favorite quote “A smile is a curve that sets a lot of things straight”. She was an artist. Sue received her art degree from what is now The University of North Texas in 1964. She brought her creative talents to her work over the years designing gift wrap for Susan Crane, and labels at Label Crafters. She worked as a freelance artist creating the perfect design for the occasion in multiple mediums. She spent her final 10 working years with the Dallas County Community Colleges, where she served with pride across various roles before she retired in 2008, always bringing her creative spirit and infectious smile to all around her. Sue was an amazing wife and mother, who brought care, love, compassion, and wisdom to all moments big and small through the years. She made every birthday, personal victory, and holiday special with her creative flair and sense of fun. She made every sorrow and struggle better with a hug and an ear to hear what you were feeling. When asked to share her greatest achievement, she said “her children,” and when asked who she admired most, she said “her husband John”.
She married the love of her life, John Rath, on August 17, 1968. They met in Sunday school when she was 4 and he was 5. They were married just shy of 52 years and had many adventures traveling the world, raising their children and standing by each other through the good times, the bad times and everything in between. Sue is survived by her husband, John Rath, her sister, Geraldine Powley, her daughter, Laura Nicole (Nikki) Rath, her son-in-law Robert Jason Crouch, her nieces, Kelly Powley Smith, Kim Meyer Holland, Cheryl Rath Boyette, Katrinka Massheder, Mimi Rath Ehring, and Koehler VanLandingham, and with her nephews David Powley, Michael Meyer, Steven Mohon, Scott Mohon, and Kyle VanLandingham. She is also survived by her grandchildren she adored, Caden Nicholas Crouch, Charlie Koehler Crouch, John Robert Crouch and Emmarsyn Anderson. She was preceded in death by her father, I.H. Amacker, her mother, Evelyn Amacker, her aunts, JoAnn Amacker and Sarah Mcgalin, her sister, Sandra Meyer, her nephew, Charles Rath, and her son, John Cedric (Ceddie) Rath. She beat the statistics on longevity with Alzheimer’s largely due to the care of her husband John, and the amazing Alzheimer’s programs and community of carers and participants in the local programs in the Dallas area, who became family to them.
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/33802
In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation in her honor to AWARE, and organization dedicated to fighting Alzheimer’s and supporting those in the day to day fight in the North Texas community through direct grants. You can donate through the following link: https://www.awaredallas.org/donate/
What’s your fondest memory of Sue?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sue?
Share a story where Sue's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sue you’ll never forget.
How did Sue make you smile?