Susan Gail Whaples, lovingly known as Suzi, Grammy, and Mama, passed from this life surrounded by the love she spent decades so freely giving. Born on April 17, 1946, she was the cherished only child of Claude and Dorothy Dolin. Suzi grew up delighting in the affection of her parents — especially the gentle spoiling from her mother — and from an early age she learned to treasure close relationships. Family and friends were never just part of her life; they were the heart of it.
As a young woman, Suzi met the love of her life, Fred Whaples. Their bond was immediate, deep, and enduring. They married on November 22, 1967, beginning a partnership that would flourish for 55 beautiful years. Together they built a home filled with laughter, faith, and unwavering devotion. Their greatest joy came in raising their three boys, whom they cherished beyond measure.
Suzi possessed a rare gift — the ability to tell stories that made people feel seen, connected, and inspired. What began as bedtime tales and children’s church lessons grew into a lifelong calling. As her sons became teens and young men, she leaned fully into her craft, discovering that adults were just as captivated by her stories as children had always been. Her talent carried her across the country as a professional storyteller, earning her national recognition. Among her proudest accomplishments were winning the 1998 National Storyteller Championship and serving as an Artist in Residence and performer at the prestigious National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
Suzi’s life was a reflection of her deep love for Jesus and her abiding love for people. She poured kindness into every relationship, every story, and every moment she shared. Her legacy is one of faith, creativity, compassion, and connection.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Fred, and her parents. She is survived by her three sons and their spouses, who carry forward her strength and tenderness; her nine grandchildren, who adored their Grammy; and her nine great grandchildren, who will grow up hearing stories of the remarkable woman whose love shaped their family.
Suzi’s voice, her laughter, and her stories will continue to echo in the hearts of all who knew her. Her life was a beautiful story — one that will be told for generations.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Thursday July 2, 2026, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services will be private, and Suzi will be laid to rest beside her husband at Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
