Delores "Susie" Dean Dennis

Mrs. Delores Dean “Susie” Dennis, 72, of Murfreesboro, TN passed away on October 21, 2024. She was born in Hohenwald, TN on June 9, 1952. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thurman Roden and Etta Mae Miller Roden. Also preceded by her daughter, Desiree Dennis, a son, Joshua Dennis, siblings, Bobby Roden, Gary Roden, Shirley Givens, Diane Taylor, Judy Atnip, and Sheila Roden.

She is survived by her husband, Edward Dennis, son, Caleb Dennis, grandchildren, Haley Dennis and Brehanna Dennis, two great grandchildren, and special friends, Nelda Pitts and Theresa Long.

When Susie came into this world, little did she know just how much life had in store for her. Born into a family with eight children, she had to learn to get along with everyone. It allowed her to blossom into a person who loved everyone. It didn’t take her long to zero in on the person who she loved the longest in her life, Edward. One faithful night she went to the Ryman Auditorium to attend a Toy’s For Tots event. It so happened; Fred was there too. He planned to go with a date, but his date canceled. Lucky for him, Susie spotted him right away, grabbed him by the arm and said, “You’re mine, we’re getting married.” The rest is history. 

She was fifteen at the time and he was seventeen. When he graduated from high school, he went on to college in Miami. He didn’t forget Susie and when it was time for her to graduate from high school, he came back to claim his prize. She graduated from Nashville Central High School with the Class of 1970. They got married shortly afterward and went back to Miami to live while he was going to college. They lived in Miami for several years before Tennessee called them home. Children were in their long-range plan, but they spent the first ten years of married life focusing on each other. When they were ready to start their family, she became pregnant with their daughter, Desiree. Unfortunately, they lost her after only a few days. God saw fit to bless them with another child, a son. They had the name, Joshua, all picked out for him. When the doctor met with them, he told them they better sit down. Joshua arrived with a twin in tow, they had to come up with a second name, Caleb.

From that point on, life was in high gear. Taking care of twin boys was a job in itself. She worked as a pathology technician at the old Murfreesboro Hospital for over 25 years, and he worked doing house framing. They shared an interest in restoring antique furniture. It started with restoring some of the furniture they inherited from his parents. Susie was blessed with a green thumb and loved to grow flowers. She was skilled enough to take cuttings from all kinds of plants, allowing her to save money and diversify her garden.

She and Edward had a plan for their dream home, a log cabin. With his building experience they got it up and going but had to make an addition to it with the boys growing up fast. They could furnish it with their restored furniture, landscape it with her flowers, and fill it with love. When they needed a break from everything, Key West called to them. They loved taking the boys swimming and relaxing on the beach. It didn’t hurt that they had some friends down there to hang out with either. 

Even with all they had going on in their lives, they made time for renewing their spirit with their church family at the Science Hill Church of Christ. They both put their faith and trust in God and were baptized into Christ. Looking to God when life took its unexpected twists and turns. Through thick and thin, she and Edward stuck together. They were almost inseparable, in it for the long haul, 54 years makes for a lot of miles and memories to hold on to.

Her wish was to be cremated and let Edward keep her close to him. They do not plan to hold a public service at this time. Due to her extended illness the family requests donations to the funeral home to assist with expenses. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337. Because every life has a story.