Jackie Suzanne Koch Holderfield, but we know her as Suzie. Suzanne Holderfield was born in San Antonio, Texas, on June 8, 1954, to loving parents Robert John Koch and Doris Mae Sharp. Suzie has two older brothers and one younger sister, all living in Texas.
Since birth, Suzie has led an exciting life. One of her favorite childhood memories was on her Uncles ranch in Hondo, Texas. Playing with her three girl cousins as they rode horses and pretended to be real ranch hands. They attended Rosemont Church of Christ, where she was baptized at age 10. She credits her love for Jesus to her Mom.
Suzie lived for two years in San Antonio, and the family moved to Fort Worth. Ten years later, her family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where she began the fifth grade. Larry and Suzie attended Richard King High School in Corpus Christi, where they dated for the last two years of high school. After graduation in 1972, they both attended Del Mar Jr. College. Suzie went to work to support Larry as he finished his degree as an Electrical Draftsman, and after he graduated, he went to work with Brown & Root.
Larry and Suzie have two sons, Will and Kyle, and a daughter Carey. Carey has given one grandson and two granddaughters.
Larry was baptized one year before he and Suzie married in Odom, Texas.
One of their dreams was to build a home together and live debt free, and they did. They budgeted $11 for groceries and lived very frugally in 1974. Larry loved to give Suzie lavish gifts. One of her favorite memories was when she and Larry went shopping in Rosenberg, and Suzie saw the cutest little antique baby bathtub. She mentioned it to Larry, but he said they had to go and didn’t have time. Then, to her surprise, he got up early the following day to run errands and bought it for her as a surprise.
One of Larry’s childhood dreams was to be an astronaut and an airline pilot. While in high school, Larry joined the Civil Air Patrol to pursue his dream of flying. Three years into their marriage, Larry was certified as a private piolet. Over the years, he attained his instrument rating, twin-engine, and instructor certifications. He eventually bought a plane and took the boys and Suzie flying.
One of the favorite things she admired about Larry was his sense of humor—a great but gentle teaser.
When Larry and I first visited FCCC, we sat in the deaf section without knowing where we were sitting.
I enjoyed watching the lady sign for deaf people, so we continued sitting in that section. I told Larry; I have to learn that!
I joined the class they were offering at the church to learn more. I was fascinated by it.
I found out they were having a deaf conference that first year. The kids and I packed up and went to Colorado for the trip. The kids played, had fun like VBS, and were on a dude ranch there. I continued learning and had the best time. Larry was flying that week, so he didn’t go with us.
I kept learning the skills, and they eventually pushed me up there to do one song! I did it, and now you might see her as an interrupter on Sunday morning. Suzie’s favorite part is signing the songs.
Larry lived their first year of marriage in Corpus Christi, Texas, and attended Windsor Park Church of Christ. On our first wedding anniversary, they moved to Houston, Texas. We attended Brookhollow Church of Christ. We first lived in an apartment, then a house trailer, and bought a two-bedroom home in Houston. All three of their children were born while they lived in the two-bedroom house.
In 1990, they found property near Needville, Texas, and began building their home.
Larry passed on January 8, 2018.
How did you handle the first year?
“Your mind will go to mush, and you think you are losing it. It’s not a good time to make decisions. Wait on making any major decisions.”
What did you do to find purpose again after losing your spouse?
She went back to teaching Bible class and attending Wednesday nights. However, I did do too much at first. I would advise people to do things slowly. It’s opened up some time that I can devote to myself now.
At age 50, I returned to college and finished getting my degree. I am certified in Special Education—EC-12th grade Certification. I taught a total of 23 years and 20 at Needville. I also taught the deaf co-op for younger children in the classroom at FBISD.
What advice would you give to someone facing the loss of their spouse today?
To comfort that person. They don’t hear anything at that point. Everyone deals with it very differently.
Be a friend to that person. Offer help and do it.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in being a widow?
Grief still comes and goes. Things would just hit me like a storm. Simple things. After five years, you would think I would be handling things better. However, this past January, his death date hit me harder this year than any. So, I grieve the more.
I will hear a song, and it will trigger me.
In approaching the holiday season, what advice would you give to widows facing their first holiday season without their spouse?
The holiday season is changed forever now, but embrace the change. It will be challenging, but eventually, it will become your tradition. I encourage everyone to embrace the change! Or, you can choose to fight it and be miserable. I prefer embracing the change for good!
What is your favorite hobby?
Sign language used to be a hobby but turned into much more.
Sewing
Made blue jean quilts for both sons
Journey to the Tomb-made costumes
Decorated cakes-homemade cakes
Scrapbooking
Date and catalog all my pictures
Hanging out with my grandkids
I love being with my friends
I like people a lot!
What’s your favorite food?
Mexican food at a little place in Rosenberg called Bob’s Taco Stand.
My son Will was married in Venice Italy-Rome recently, so we still travel quite a bit. It was a beautiful ceremony! Did you know that they had to marry in the United States first, and then they could have an Italian wedding? I was blessed that my Uncle Don, who was 80 then, could travel with me along with another one of my good friends to attend the wedding in Italy!
Now, my Uncle Don, my dad’s brother and now 85, will be traveling with me as we visit his daughter this June in Florida!
What has the widow’s program meant to you personally?
It made me aware of how many widows are in our church.
I appreciate getting to know all the women in all the settings.
I love all the activities.
I love that we are cared for and can care for others too.
Written by: Pam and Charles Foster