Obituary

Susan Carline Rawls Spencer Painter

March 1, 1955 - August 9, 2023

Mrs. Susan Carline Rawls Spencer Painter, a resident of Mt. Hermon, passed away on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, in Amite, LA at the age of 68.  Susan was born on March 1, 1955, in Bogalusa, LA to the late Clarence and Billie Warner Rawls.

Susan worked for South Central Bell, Bell South, and AT&T for 24 years.  She then began working at Merrywood Bed and Breakfast, where she maintained the grounds and walking trails.  Being the avid outdoors person that she was, she was fond of taking visitors to walk along the trails, pointing out the abundant wildlife.  After Hurricane Katrina caused the closure of Merrywood as a bed and breakfast facility it became a part of the Louisiana Humane Society taking in and caring for animals.  Being such an animal lover, she was in her element.

Susan lived in Mt. Hermon until August of 2021, when she suffered health issues.  She then moved to Bogalusa with her sister, Rachael and that is where she remained until her passing.  Friends and relatives would call the sisters Thelma and Louise because you didn’t see one without the other!

Susan is survived by her son, Patrick Stephen Spencer; two grandsons who were the light of her life, John Easton Spencer and Isaac Weston Spencer; her loving stepdaughter, Robin Spencer; two stepsons, Tommy Joe and Randy Spencer; her sister, Rachael Rawls Jenkins; sister-in-law, Patty Rawls Mathies; brother-in-law, Rodney Hunt; “Sista-Cuz”, Robin Warner Jones; “Bro-Cuz”, Tommy Warner; and her special nieces, Tammy Seals Spears (Byron) and Sherry Martin (Brad).  She is also survived by many, many other family members and friends.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Rawls and Billie Warner Rawls; her first husband, Edward “Ed” Spencer; a brother, James E. “Jim” Rawls; sister, Ruth Aylene Rawls; a brother-in-law, Jeffrey B. Jenkins; and sister-in-law, Betty Wren Spencer Hunt.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023, at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home from 10:30 A.M. until time for the service at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Fred Brumfield officiating the service.  Interment to follow at Seal Cemetery in Varnado, LA.  

Pallbearers will include Jeremy Painter, Byron Spears, Thailyr Spears, Brad Bennett, Chris Warner, and Tommy Joe Spencer.

Susan’s family request that in lieu of flowers that donation be made to the charity of your choice.  They would also like to send a special thanks to the staff of The Lodge at Tangi Pines for their care, love, and compassion for Susan.