Merchant, Brenda Suzanne December 10, 1939 - September 7, 2010

Brenda Suzanne Merchant was born December 10, 1939 in Springfield, Missouri to Walter Leo and Norma Louise (Bernard) Barker. She passed away September 7, 2010 at Citizen’s Memorial Healthcare Facility, Bolivar, Missouri. Suzanne graduated from Osceola High School. She loved music and band where she played the oboe. Suzanne enjoyed talking about how she could go to the Bus Stop and eat during the lunch period. After graduation Suzanne married Don Merchant. She worked as a waitress at Howard B’s in Collins, MO before working at the St. Clair County Extension Center. She enjoyed coming up with trivial facts to stump her co-worker, Wayne Horine, who was known as being very smart. He gave she and Mary Cooper a deck of chemistry cards as a game he made, for them to give their children at school. Suzanne later worked at Teters Floral in Bolivar until her back and heart surgery forced her retirement. She loved jewelry, especially her long earrings. Suzanne loved their farm and taking family and friends to the many ponds to fish. She enjoyed Bingo and bowling. She went to the Ladies State Tournament every year for the past 10 years or so. She also went with Donnie to the Men’s Nationals and State Tournaments. Suzanne enjoyed going to her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s school functions and sporting events. The Christmas season was her favorite time of year; which she enjoyed spending with her family. Suzanne was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. W. L. Barker, DDS and Norma Louise (Bernard) Barker. She is survived by her husband, Don of forty eight years, four children, Lew Beach and wife Jeanine, Moundville, MO; Lori Walton and husband Robert , Weaubleau, MO, Donald B. (Bernie) Merchant, Tightwad, MO and Todd Merchant and wife, Nena, Dadeville, MO; thirteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.