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MRS. SUSIE MAE BRUTON BLACKSHEAR
"PAT" | "SUSIE Q"
January 26, 1950 – December 7, 2023

"I fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." ~ 2 TIMOTHY 4:7

MRS. Susie Mae Bruton Blackshear was born to loving parents, Willis Bruton and Hattie Mae Mills Bruton, on January 26, 1950, in Madison County, Florida. She was affectionately known as "Pat" and "Susie Q" by family and friends. She was a lifelong resident of the Greenville, Florida community.

Preceding Susie in death were both parents; husband: Tommy Lee Blackshear; and sisters: Dorothy James, Constance Thompson, and Geneitha Bruton.

As an older sibling who grew up with her five sisters and five brothers, Susie learned to be responsible. However, it was also a tradition during her early years, that parents (hers were no exception) relied on their village of strong supporters – extended family members, neighbors, teachers, and church members - who were united in helping them to shape their children's lives in a more excellent way. These adults all instilled within the children the importance of having Christ at the center of their lives. Therefore, it was Susie's desire to be obedient; she accepted Christ as her Redeemer and Resurrected Savior and was baptized by faith. She became a member of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Greenville and remained a faithful member there until health challenges prevented her from physically being able to attend.

The village also supported Susie's parents by conveying the importance of having an education. Susie, a student in the Madison County Public School System, was a 1968 graduate of Greenville Training School. When she became a parent, she shared the same expectations with her children as well as with others.

Pat was a dedicated worker and a good provider for her family. She was employed for many years at Pine Lake (currently Cross Winds) Nursing Home. She had a loving heart and treated people with Christlike compassion. She always welcomed others into her home. Throughout the years, hers was the "go to" house for her children's friends and others in the neighborhood.

Susie was family oriented; she loved their spending quality time together but had a grandmother's special love for her grandchildren. She was fun loving and the life of the party – their own Susie Q who was known to lovingly "call it as it was". On the other hand, she also enjoyed spending her leisure watching television and interacting with game shows, especially Family Feud.

On Thursday, December 7, 2023, the Lord concluded her life journey and called Susie Mae Bruton Blackshear from labor to reward. She was then ushered into the presence of the Almighty to begin her eternal celebration with Him.

Susie Mae Bruton Blackshear left a rich legacy of her blessed life and love in her footprints of time. Loved ones who will forever hold these everlasting memories close to their hearts are her daughter: Raquel Blackshear of Ruskin, FL; son: Tommy Lee (Teresa) Blackshear, Jr. of Madison, FL; nephews, raised as sons: Dedrick Burton of Atlanta, GA and Jaquese Demps of Monticello, FL; brothers: Willis Bruton, Jr., Rev. Ernest (Barbara) Bruton, Alvin (Exzandra) Bruton, all of Greenville, FL, Calvin (Lashonda) Bruton of Perry, FL; and Gregory (Rasheda) Bruton of Lake Park, GA; sisters: Verna Jones of Greenville, FL and Wanda Craddock of Tampa, FL; grandchildren: Tyler Williams-Ruskin, Jarkievious (Telvasha) Blackshear, and Kiearia Livingston; great-grandchildren: Ariyah Fray-Ruskin, Carmeon Fray-Ruskin, Kyson Blackshear, and Teyah Morris; uncle: William D. Mills; and sisters-in-law: Shirley Mobley, Carolyn (Henry) Livingston, Carrie (Onazina) Washington, and Frednell Blackshear, along with countless other sorrowing relatives, and loving friends.