Susan Brown Larkin

Obituary of Susan Larkin Susan Brown Larkin, 91, passed away in her sleep early Saturday morning, November 1, 2014. Susan was born in Webster, Florida on September 15, 1923 to James G. Brown Sr. and Emma Bostick Brown. She was one of seven children and as she grew up during the great depression working the family farm, she developed a love of learning and contemplating the wonders of the world. She graduated Valedictorian of Webster High School in 1941. Susan loved reading, the arts, traveling and the white sand beaches of Florida, from Pensacola to Key West. She enjoyed entertaining, playing bridge and exploring different cultures. She enjoyed interesting conversation and politics. Susan was preceded in death by her parents, James and Emma Brown, sisters Russell B. Clemons and Mary Lee Brown, brothers James G. "Skeeter" Brown Jr, Thomas L. Brown and John Nathan Brown, former husbands John W. Gideons Jr. and Harold J. Larkin, sons Mitchell Patrick Larkin and Michael James Larkin, and is survived by her sisters Emma Warnock and Anne Howell Garner, sons Thomas J. Larkin and John Kevin Larkin, daughter-in-law Megan Wisdom-Larkin and grandchildren Sydney, Chloe, Elliott and Colin. Susan entered the Civil Service and began her worldly travels in 1946, stationed at Nagoya, Japan with the HQ of 5th Air Forces. From 1947 to 1948 she supported HQ 20th Air Forces at Guam, M. I. (where she met and married Major Harold J. "Bud" Larkin). From 1949 to 1961, Susan accompanied her husband to various stations of duty, including Westover AFB, Barksdale AFB, Lockbourne AFB, Loring AFB and Dow AFB, and continued her employment in the Civil Service serving in various capacities such as Secretary, Stenographer and Real Property Clerk. In 1962, Susan returned to Florida with her four young children, remaining until her posting at Lajes AFB, Azores from 1968 to 1973. While at Lajes, she filled a variety of roles, culminating in her promotion to Base Housing Officer. These were wonderful times for the family as Susan ensured her children's exposure to the wonders of Europe and the Mediterranean. Her most visited site was Madrid and the Prado Museum, and developed a reputation as a gracious host and consummate Bridge player. Fall of 1973 found Susan as Base Housing Officer at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, Texas. From Texas, Susan accepted her next appointment as Housing Officer at Cherry Point Naval Air Station in Havelock, North Carolina. The family enjoyed living on the Neuse River until moving to Schweinfurt, Germany in 1976. Susan worked for the Department of the Army while in Germany from 1976 until 1981, with additional postings at Goppingen and Baumholder. In 1981, Susan found herself living in Alexandria, Virginia and working at the Pulaski Building for the Army. Her life long yearning to travel resulted in her 1983 appointment as Housing Project Manager of the Panama Canal Zone, where she ended her lengthy Civil Service career in 1986. Susan retired to Austin, Texas to be near her children and grandchildren, and remained in Austin until her death. She will be buried in the family plot in Webster, Florida. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 AM, November 6, 2014 at the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Webster, Sumter County, Florida.

Susan Brown Larkin

September 15, 1923 - November 1, 2014