Suzanne Spiller Bailey
Suzanne Bailey of Alpine passed away peacefully at the T. Boone Pickens Faith Presbyterian Hospice in Dallas, Texas on October 9, 2017. The cause was cancer.
Suzanne was born on August 4, 1939 in Montgomery County, Texas to Mary Elizabeth and John William “Doc” Spiller.
She married Don Bailey in 1965 and their love of nature and the outdoors led them to jobs in the U.S. Forest Service.
After spending summer months in lookout towers in California and Arizona spotting fires, they discovered the rugged and remote Big Bend Country of West Texas.
In the early 1970s, they built a home in the Study Butte/Terlingua area.
For many years, they divided their time between the Chihuahuan Desert and the forests of the west. Don died in 1983.
Suzanne moved to Alpine in 1984 and became Secretary of the Museum of the Big Bend for several years.
She then worked as Shelter Manager for the Family Crisis Center for seven years, after which she worked for 15 years as an advocate and volunteer trainer for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
On October 15, 2011, Suzanne and Thomas V. Shortt of Alpine were married.
Suzanne was active in community affairs and environmental issues.
She had many dear friends and relatives.
She was always helping others when they were dealing with health issues or hard times.
She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched with her friendship, humor, kindness, and generosity.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Don; and a grandson, John Keeler.
She is survived by her husband Tom Shortt; daughter Linda Clay (David Franks); son Randy Jones (Pam); six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and dear nieces.
There will be a Celebration of Life service at Kokernot Lodge at 4pm on Monday, October 30.
There will be a private family burial before the celebration.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to a charity of your choice.