of Norfork, AR
September 19, 1949 - September 15, 2016
Susan Balentine Pitchford passed away September 15, 2016, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, after a 19 month battle against a very aggressive form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Her fight brought her from Norfork, Arkansas, to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, in Seattle, Washington.
Susan was born September 19, 1949, in Marshall, Arkansas, to Cecil Warren and Ernestine Wynn Balentine and was raised in Big Flat, Arkansas. Susan graduated from Marshall High School, in Marshall, Arkansas, in 1967. She then attended the University of Central Arkansas, in Conway, Arkansas where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics. She taught Home Economics in Fifty-Six, AR, and Mountain Home, AR. She met her husband, Roger, while working in Mountain Home, AR, and they were married in Big Flat, AR, June 8, 1974. She later, attended Oklahoma State University, in Stillwater, Oklahoma and earned her Masters Degree in Dietetics in 1985.
Susan excelled in her role as a mother, where she displayed the utmost patience, kindness, and love for her three children. She also worked as the Dietician for Breech Medical Center in Lebanon, MO, from 1988 to 1992. She then worked for the Arkansas State Health Department as a Dietician for the WIC program covering several counties in Arkansas from 1993 until her retirement.
Through the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture in Baxter County, Susan earned the title of Master Gardener. Susan loved to cook, sew, and garden and enjoyed long walks on her farm, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and daily Bible study. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother and a faithful, life-long member of the Church of Christ.
Susan is survived by her husband and best friend, Roger Pitchford, MAJ, USA (ret); one daughter: Julia Ayers and her husband, Joshua, of Black Diamond, Washington; two sons: Dr. Clovis Pitchford and his wife, Dr. Bett Pitchford of Huntsville, Alabama, and Major Hanson Pitchford, USMC and his wife, Catherine, of Yuma, Arizona; and seven grandchildren: Eli, Brynley, Hadley, Josie, Madeleine, Florence and Isley. Susan is also survived by her parents, Warren and Ernestine Balentine; and by two brothers: Terry, and his wife Robbie Balentine and Don and his wife Myra Balentine, as well as by numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, September 24, 2016, at Roller Funeral Home, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, with Keith Sharp officiating. Visitation will be Noon to 9:00pm, Friday, September 23, 2016, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Interment will be in Big Flat Cemetery. Arrangements are by Roller Funeral Home.
In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in her memory to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance :http://getinvolved.fhcrc.org/site/TR/Events/FredHutchinsonCancerResearchCenter?pxfid=10076&fr_id=1050&pg=fund or the Big Flat Cemetery Association C/O Sandi White, 1211 Highway 14, Big Flat, Arkansas 72617.
Susan was a very lovely woman whom we had the privilege of knowing during her treatment in Seattle. We want to offer our sincerest condolences to Roger personally and to the family and friends of this very sweet lady.
Dear Warren & Teen, and Roger, kids and family,
She was a sweet gentle and genuine soul. I'm so sorry for your loss. She was so loved. We are thinking of you all.
We are so sad for the loss of your sweet Susan. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you. Please, remember to keep Susan living each day in your happy memories of her. Susan always made her parents proud. What a kind & lovely person.
Ruth & Gary
I worked with Susan at the Baxter County Health Unit for a short time and appreciated her gentle and caring personality. Susan was such a wonderful lady, she will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. May the peace of God comfort you.
Dear Ernestine, Warren, Don, Terry, Roger and family,
My deepest sympathy is with you. May you have peace and comfort in the days ahead. Susan and I visited by phone a few months ago, reminiscing and catching up. She was a beautiful person inside and out. She had a contagious, beautiful smile I will always remember.
Sincerely,
Peggy
May God give you and your family comfort during your time of sorrow. I was a classmate of Susan at Marshall. May God bless you all.
Keith and Marsha Clark
Roger and Children,
My heart cries for the loss of my dear friend Susan. I loved her from the first moment I met her. She was the sweetest lady that I have ever known. One just couldn't help loving her.
I know what pain you must be going through but I ,and you, also know that she is in Heaven making God smile. I never saw her without a smile on that sweet face of hers, even when she was so ill.
You will see her again when God calls each of you home and what a wonderful reunion that will be.
Until then she would want you to be happy and not mourn for her.
You are all in my prayers.
In Christian Love,
Jeannie
Dear Roger and family,
Remembering you in prayer at this difficult time. Praising God for sending Susan our way, what a blessing!
Love,
Bonnie Bradley
My thoughts & prayers for The Pitchford & Balentine family during this difficult time. Praying that God's love will shine through your darkest night, your deepest sorrow & guide you to peace. Susan (my cousin) will be remembered as the kindest, sweetest person I have ever known. She will definitely be missed. So thankful that she is in heaven with Jesus where there is no more pain or sorrow.
Susan was the sweetest kindest lady. She never had a harsh word for anyone. She was very soft spoken to everyone she came in contact with and always has a smile on her face for everyone. She will be missed by all who knew her. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this most difficult time. May you find peace and comfort in God.
We pray that God will comfort you during this sad time. You are in our hearts and prayers. John & Linda (Tilley) Watts
Susan Pitchford was one of the nicest ladies whom I ever met. Her Children were wonderful and when one met Susan, it was apparent why. She was a sweet lady and devoted wife and mother. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all, and we are here to do anything we can to help you all through this time of mourning. Roger, we loved your parents and your family and you. We are so sad about your loss.
Dwain and Nancy Reed
Dear Family,
Susan will be remembered as a sweet, sweet Saint and the finest example of Grace. She was so proud of each of her children and grandchildren.
Our prayers are with each of you,
Mike and Karen
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. Susan was such a sweet person.
Roger and family,
We are so very sorry for your loss.
Please accept our condolences. You have our deepest and heartfelt sympathy at this very difficult time.
We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Susan will be missed by all those who were lucky enough to have known and loved her. She was a wonderful lady.
Sincerely,
Mike and Dianna Roller
So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Roger and family, so sorry for your loss. May God's peace and comfort be with you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Susan's family.
Just want to say I went to school with Susan at Big flat and I want to say I am praying for the whole family.
Roger and family:
Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. Susan was a wonderful lady. You have our deepest sympathy.
Steve and Jo
Praying for your peace and comfort, Roger. Our condolences to you and your fine family. Be blessed!
Roger, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for you and your family.
Paul and Vanessa Smith
Dear Roger, Julia, Clovis and Hansen...How blessed we are in having had Susan in our lives. I will continue to pray for you all as you navigate through your grief and missing sweet Susan. She left the legacy of her beautiful family whom she adored. Love you all....Sandra
Our prayers are with the family.
Susan was a Great Lady and will
be missed.
Elliott and Roberta
So sorry for your loss. Susan's sweet smile will be missed.
Roger and family, Thinking of you at this time. Lifting you up in prayers.
Our family mourns with you during this time, yet rejoice with the knowledge that the pain is over and she's with Christ our Lord. On a personal note I was shy as a kid and when we would visit I felt that love with both Roger and Susan that always made our family feel so welcomed and that was very natural, honest and from the heart.
I am deeply grateful for the blessing of sharing fond moments with Susan. She taught me many good things that I am confident will remain with me through out my life. Knowing that she is at peace, resting in paradise, is comforting.
Roger and family, we are sad but happy - sad that we won't see Susan now, but happy that we will all be together in the future. Susan has been on our prayer list at First United Methodist Church here in Carthage for over a year, and know that Laura and I and our church family will continue to be in prayer for you and the family, in Jesus' Holy Name - AMEN!
Roger, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Susan was an awesome Lady. I pray you will find comfort in the words of our Lord. God Bless you and all of the family
Roger and family, Marlin and I are sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our prayers. May you feel the Lord's loving arms around you.