Suzann would play the piano with such feeling and inspiration that she could bring tears to the eyes of her listeners. She freely shared her gift of music by playing in church for the past 36 years. She was so dedicated to this service that she continued to play the last five years of her life, even while she endured chemotherapy, fighting advanced stage cancer.
Suzann Marie Lewis was born on August 22, 1955, to Archie Martin Lewis and Mildred Marie Hartley of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma and passed away to be with her Lord on June 30, 2020. She grew up in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, going to church, was active in the Girl Scouts, and graduated from Pauls Valley High School. Following high school, she worked her way through El Reno, Junior College (now Redlands Community College), and graduated with an Associates in Arts Degree, with distinction. She began her career as a legal assistant working in a law office in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma and later graduated from the Oklahoma University Law Center Paralegal Program. In 1982 Suzann met a young Assistant District Attorney who would become the love of her life. Pat VerSteeg and Suzann Lewis were married in May of 1983 and shared a wonderful life, raising two very caring and talented children, Jami and Patrick.
In 1991 Suzann began her career in public service in the Durant District Attorney’s Office and later worked in the Sayre and Cheyenne District Attorney’s Office, retiring in 2016 after 27 years. In the course of her state service she received numerous honors for her outstanding work. She was active in the Cheyenne Eastern Star chapter, serving as its Organist for many years. She served as a member of the Board of Directors of The Metcalf Museum and Break ‘O Day Farm for many years, serving as the Board’s secretary for most of those years. She was active socially attending many community events such as the Dempsey Community Social and the 2nd Sunday Poetry Club. She is an active member of the Cheyenne Methodist church and has served on numerous church committees. She organized the Methodist Church Bell Choir and served as its director until recently. She loved the bell choir, singing in the choir, and serving as the church pianist. She was always was willing to serve as an accompanist to the choir or encouraging young people to develop their skills to play in church.
She loved traveling the world with Pat. Her favorite activity was being grandma to grandchildren Keelyn and Daniel. While she courageously battled the cancer that she knew would rob her of years, she never lost sight of living each day to the fullest. She faced her challenges with faith, grace, and dignity. She was fond of saying, “I have peace because it is well with my soul.” Suzann is preceded in death by her father, Archie Lewis.
She is survived by her husband, Judge Pat Ver- Steeg of the home; daughter, Jami Bohanan, granddaughter, Keelyn, of Gilbert, Arizona; Patrick VerSteeg (wife Brandi) grandson, Daniel, of Troy, Illinois; mother, Mildred Lewis of Mt. Pleasant, Texas; brother, Marty Lewis (wife Bobbie); “adopted” sister, JoRetta Morris of Sulphur, Oklahoma; and a host of relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made in Suzann’s honor to the Methodist Sack Lunch Ministry or the Cheyenne Education Foundation.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Cheyenne First United Methodist Church on Wednesday July 8, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. All are invited to make expressions of condolences at www.classicfunerals.com and the Memorial Service will be streamed on the Affordable Cremation Service – West Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ Affordable-Cremation-Service- West.
In order to protect all concerned and comply with CDC guidelines all attendees will be required to wear masks while in the building.