Melba Suskie

Melba Louise Suskie, 85, of Little Rock died August 25, 2021.

Melba was a loving wife and an incredible mother to her six children, and dedicated grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, John Suskie, who passed almost seven years ago.

Melba was born August 27, 1935, in Wilburton, Oklahoma.  Her childhood was greatly impacted when her mother, Sybil Lowder, died of tuberculosis when Melba was only nine years old inspiring her to become a nurse. From that point forward, she assumed the role of a mother-caretaker, a role she embraced and continued in various forms for almost 80 years. Because of her humble beginnings, she was a hard and dedicated worker in all areas of her life.  Whether as a child picking cotton in rural Oklahoma or helping dietitians feed patients in hospitals as a student, she always set an example of hard work and dedication.

After graduating from high school in Oklahoma City, she graduated from Oklahoma University’s nursing school.  While in nursing school, she met John who was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City.  Shortly thereafter, John and Melba were engaged and married on November 3rd, 1956 at Tinker Air Force Base by a Catholic priest.

After their wedding and her graduation from nursing school, the couple moved to Fayetteville so John could attend the University of Arkansas on the GI Bill. It was during those years that she and John’s love for Razorback sports grew -- while she always remained an OU Sooner.

Melba's nursing career began in Fayetteville at Washington Regional Hospital and included nursing jobs in Pine Bluff, Washington, D.C. and Little Rock as she and John moved during their careers while raising a growing family.  She retired as a nurse from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Melba is survived by her six children: Mary Suskie Carter of Leonard, Texas; Anne Suskie Pinyan (Rob) of Little Rock; Renee Suskie Kovach (Stephen) of Little Rock; John T. Suskie Jr. (Neddie) of Little Rock; Bruce Suskie (Kelley) of Little Rock; and Paul Suskie (Erica) of Little Rock. She is also survived by all her siblings, brother Don Lowder of Brownsboro, Texas; sister Opie Lowder of Fort Worth, Texas; and brother Marvin Lowder of Yukon, Oklahoma; 13 grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband John, Melba was preceded in death by her parents, Sherman and Sybil Lowder of Wilburton, Oklahoma; and great-grandson, Kyle McWilliams Jr.

Melba was proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and took an intense interest in their education and well-being. She and John called their six children their legacy. Melba was a devout Roman Catholic. John and Melba were founding members of Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock. She was a strong supporter of Little Rock's Catholic High School for Boys and Mount St. Mary Academy, where 12 of her children and grandchildren graduated.

A Catholic Rosary service will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 6:00 PM and a funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 3, 2021 at 10:30 AM both at Christ the King Catholic Church located at 4000, N. Rodney Parham, Little Rock, AR.  Interment will follow at 1:00 PM at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock where Melba will be laid to rest with her husband John.  The Funeral Mass will be webcast at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLCQF2okEX6gKbKLOoGPiA . The Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Francis I. Malone and Father Erik Pohlmeier, assisted by Acolyte John T. Suskie, Jr.

The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, and caregivers that took care of her during her short illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Christ the King Catholic Church, 4000 N. Rodney Parham, Little Rock, AR 72212.

Arrangements by Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501)224-2200. Melba’s online guestbook may be signed at www.smithfamilycares.com.