Susan Eckstine Riddle
June 17, 1953 ~ December 4, 2019
Born in:
Pittsburgh, PA
Resided in:
Fletcher, NC
Mom and Dad always said they were two of the most blessed people that ever walked the face of the earth. They had good parents, each other, 5 great kids, 7 wonderful grandchildren, jobs they loved, and many great adventures together. And God was with them all the way.
Susan was born June 17, 1953 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The first six months of her life she spent in an orphanage. She was adopted into the family of Joe and Dora Eckstine and sister, Marilyn and grew up in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. When she graduated from high school they sent her south to college and to find a southern gentleman. Mom met Dad (Rick Riddle) when she was a junior and he was a grad student at UNC-Greensboro. She really liked his 1974 Fiat Spider convertible. Dad says she jumped in and never got out. That’s Dad’s story — Mom’s was a little different.
They were married May 18, 1975. The Fiat Spider lasted until 1980 when she was nine months pregnant with their first child, Amanda. Mom got tired of pushing it off to get it started. Joe came along in 1981, Frank in 1984, Allie in 1987 and Suzy in 2006. They were and still are the joy of life. More joy came in grandchildren — Hailey, Ricky, Jackson, Hannah, Joe, and Henry. They are all special and wonderful.
Susan was a teacher in the Henderson County School System for 22 years. She was two time math teacher of the year and ended her formal career at Dana Elementary as the lead teacher. She could not just retire so she became a tutor at Dana for several more years. She loved it and the kids loved her.
In fact everyone who knew her loved her. She was kind, humble, smart — she never shirked a task — always had to be early and stay late. Susan was the kind of woman every young girl hopes she will be – and every old woman wishes she had been.
The most important thing she would want you to know is that she was a Christian. She believed that Jesus died for our sins. All anyone has to do is believe and God has a home for them in heaven. Everything you lose on earth will be replaced in heaven. Don’t be afraid. Live every day God gives you with zest and appreciation for his blessings. When the last grain of sand has dropped, your new Adventure begins.
And for us this is the end of Susan’s story, and we can say she lived happily ever after. For Susan it is only the beginning. All her life in this world and all her adventures on earth have only been the cover and the title page. Now she begins Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read; which goes on forever; in which every chapter is better than the one before. (C.S. Lewis)
Surviving are husband of 44 years, Rick Riddle; daughters Amanda Riddle (Henry 6), Winston Salem, NC; Allison Bayer & husband Joe, Destin, Florida; sons Joseph Riddle & wife Sarah (Hailey 18, Lydia 13, Hannah 11, Joseph, Jr. 10), Baltimore, MD; Frank and special daughter Suzy (Ricky 12 & Jackson 11), Mills River, NC; Sister Marilyn Eckstine, Estero,FL; and brothers in law Randy Riddle and Mike Gregory, Alexander, NC.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, December 7th, 2019 at 2:00pm at Biltmore Baptist Church – Hendersonville Campus.
Services
Celebration of Life: December 7, 2019 2:00 pm
Biltmore Baptist Church
103 Education Dr.
Flat Rock, NC 28731
828-687-1111
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Rick, I’m so sorry to hear of Susan’s passing. I know that she was a special person even though I never had the opportunity to meet her. David, my brother, always speaks so fondly of you both. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
May God show you and your family Grace during this difficult time.
On behalf of my wife and I, who met at Dana, when Susan was lead teacher, we would like to say how truly blessed we were to have known her. She was a daily inspiration and continued to be so after her retirement. I will miss seeing her smiling face and words of encouragement in our hallways. Her passion for teaching and love of math taught me so much throughout the years we worked together. I will cherish all of the advice, prayers, and cards she has given to me. Heaven became even sweeter today. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
I don’t even know where to begin, Susan and Rick were wonderful friends to my family when we moved here knowing no one. They became my children’s substitute parents. Where Ali was, my Katie was close behind.
Susan is the one I read the whole bible with and understood it.
I love this family. Always will.
Thank you Susan, well done my old friend…..well done!
Too her family, I know you know how lucky you were and are!
I was lucky enough to have Susan Riddle as my teacher for not one, but two years in elementary school. She was an amazing person to learn from. Through her I got to become friends with her wonderful daughter – she and her husband sure did raise some great kids. I am thankful to have known her. Much love to the Riddle family.
No words can express our sorrow. To Rick and family we pray for peace and an abundance of forever memories. Last I spoke with her she eased my heart because I could feel her peace. She was and will always be a beautiful human being…always smiling, always a kind word. We feel richer for having known her. So many memories of our babies growing up together. Farewell sweet lady to a life well lived..
Rick, I am so sorry for you and your children. Susan was so special. Prayers for you and your family.
To my Alexander grown friends and loved ones,
Rick and children, Randy and friend, my heart hurts for you all at this time. God will provide the peace and hope still today and forever. The obit is such a sweet and heartfelt message about Susan and the life she lived so well. I hope those who read it and do not know the Lord, as she did , will find Him and ask Him into their hearts. I love you both and have always.
My prayers are with the entire Riddle Family. You are all treasures that dearest Susan has left as truth of her love.
Greatest Love,
claudia Brush
Sorry to hear about Susan. We are sure that the last few months have been difficult. It’s a shame to lose such a nice person at this young age. Having known Susan for over 35 years, we agree with others who have mentioned that Susan always had a smile on her face. We have been and continue thinking about the Riddle family.
Sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
In reading all the kind words about Susan and her family I am humbled yet proud to call her my cousin. Joe Dora
Marilyn and Susan always came to West Virginia at least once a year for a visit. It was always an exciting time because I knew I’d get to visit with the girls. I always remember Susan being full of fun and although we never got into trouble there were always plenty of shenanigans for us to get into. After we became adults we kept in touch. I will never forget her encouraging notes she wrote to me after the passing of my husband. They always came at a time when they were most needed and she had always included the perfect scripture. She was a true lady and I know how much she loved Rick her kids and grandkids. Please know dear ones that I’ll
be keeping you close in prayers and in thoughts. Sending you all my love……. your West Virginia cousin……. Bonnie
While I didn’t get the opportunity to meet Susan, I did get to met her four children (5 counting Susie) and some of her grandkids this past weekend at Ali and Joe’s wedding. I know my brother feels very proud to be joining your family and having met all the Riddle kids now, it is clear Susan raised a wonderful family. I am so very sorry for your loss and you all are in the thoughts and prayers of the Bayer family.
R.I.P Susan! You will truly be missed
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I loved getting to know Susan and learning so much from her in our bible study. She was an inspiration to all of us. She will be greatly missed here but I know she is healthy and happy in heaven.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Marilyn I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family.
We were shocked to hear hear about Susan’s death. We know she will leave a big void in your lives.
I remember all the years we spent together at Arden and how she always seemed so calm, even with four children. Not only was she a friend, but also one of “my parents.”
Unfortunately, we cannot make the celebration on life because of an unchangeable conflict. We will be thinking about you at that time.
Rick and Family, please know you are in our thoughts and prayers today and going forward. We were privileged to know you and Susan and the children in the years we lived in Arden. Isaiah 41:10: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Rick
I am sorry to hear of Susan’s passing. I am thankful we ran into each other at the hospital recently. It was so good to see Susan and you. I noted how positive she was during our conversation and the her testimony for her Savior was truly inspiring. You and your family are in my prayers. I know there is grief but how wonderful to know that soon we will all be with our Savior.
Thank all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers. It means more than you will know.