Biography: Susan Sudduth Dodson Hiller, age 79, ended her battle with brain cancer at dusk on September 1, 2023.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. F. Charles “Chuck” Hiller; her daughter, Penn Dodson (Christopher); her grandchildren, Katie, Andrew and Ethan; her brother, Dr. S. Scott Sudduth (Gail); her sister-in-law Wilda Dodson (Bill); nieces, nephews, and their children; and her beloved corgi, Drea. She was predeceased by her parents, Dorothea and Solon Sudduth, her first husband, Dr. C. Frank Dodson, and a nephew Andrew Sudduth.
Susan Sudduth was born in Norman Oklahoma July 22, 1944, to Dr. Solon B. Sudduth and Dorothea A. Sudduth. She was raised in Nashville TN and graduated from Harpeth Hall School, to which she remained a devoted alumna throughout her life. After high school she attended and graduated from Sweet Briar College in Virginia (where she met life-long friends whom she always treasured).
After college she married her high school sweetheart, Dr. C. Frank Dodson, in 1966 and worked in research at St. Jude’s Hospital while he was in medical school, and subsequently in computer programing while he was in the US Navy.
She had a love of mathematics, her mother’s influence, and also of sports from her father who was, before WWII football coach at HSU in Arkadelphia and subsequently head of Physical Education at Peabody College (Vanderbilt) in Nashville TN. She became a competitive tennis player winning numerous tournaments in the Nashville area.
After she lost her first husband in 1980 she joined a grief support group for young widows where she met and became friends with Anise (Ann) Baskette. Together these young widows became successful entrepreneurs when life threw them curve balls, starting a company that eventually became Medical Office Management Systems, Inc. (“MOMS”) which was later acquired by WebMD. For their success with their company that provided computer infrastructure to medical offices they were recognized in 1998 as Small Business of the Year for the state. When they sold the business in 1999 they had 50 wonderful employees and provided medical office billing services to 600 offices in 20 states.
Thereafter she became an avid volunteer and contributor to the community. She enjoyed volunteer work with Wildwood Theater for the Performing Arts where she served on the board for several years including two terms as board president. Later she also served on the board of the Little Rock Wind Symphony serving as president of the board for two terms.
After retiring from business she returned to grief counseling and hospice work and developed superb skills in this difficult discipline. She was involved in teaching at St. James Methodist Church, helped develop a teaching program, and co-led many classes teaching these skills to others. She also worked for a number of years with Baptist Hospice, and also Arkansas Hospice with which she served on the board for a number of years. She made hundreds of visits to hospice patients.
As a continuation of her love for bereavement counseling she became heavily involved in her lay pastoral role as leader of the pastoral care program at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. She especially appreciated the support and trust placed in her by Rev. Mary Vano and the pastoral staff at St. Margaret’s.
With her husband, Chuck, she enjoyed visiting Snowmass, Colorado and making trips to many interesting places culminating with a wonderful trip to Spain last year. For many years she enjoyed taking beautiful photographs, particularly of nature, pets, and children.
A special thanks to all of her wonderful and supportive friends, many of whom she knew from St. Margaret’s.
In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions in her honor to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Little Rock, or a charity of the donor's choice.
The family is planning a Celebration of Life to take place at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at 3 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com