12/01/2025
Susan Karen Whiddon, 82, of Joaquin, TX passed away peacefully Friday, November 28, 2025, in Tenaha, TX.
Born August 26, 1943, in Dallas, TX at Florence Nightengale Hospital, Susan is the daughter of Orren Cox Whiddon and Cynthia Betty Cockrell Whiddon. She graduated from Joaquin High School and Austin Peay University in Clarksville, TN. She was a beloved teacher and coach at Center Junior High School. It was the privilege of her career to lead and inspire the Riderettes to multiple District Championships throughout the years.
In the summer, you would find Susan at Crystal Lake, the Whiddon family water park in Joaquin, teaching water safety, lifeguarding and running the place as her father’s right hand. Generations of east Texans who braved the trolly towers to ride the zipline learned to obey her voice over the intercom “If you’re not pulling up the rope, stand behind the red barrier!”. Susan was known for her sense of humor and never met a stranger. In her later years, trips to Walmart turned into a slow crawl as you couldn’t turn a corner without someone coming over to say, “Hello, Ms. Whiddon!”. She was active in the local trail riding community and ran a small herd of cattle for years that she treated as pets. She was larger than life, a cherished friend to many and made the world a better place.
She is survived by:
Sister’s-in-law:
Harriot McKinney Whiddon of Lufkin
Jean Tyler Whiddon of Hideaway
Nieces and nephews:
Orren Prentice Whiddon of Artemas, PA
Laura Karen Shortell and husband Joe Stutts of Joaquin
Barbara Diane Chandler of Dallas
Cynthia Sharon and husband Charlie Stacey of Farmington, NM
Rodney Alan Whiddon and wife Lea Ann of Joaquin
As well as numerous great and great great nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Orren Cox Whiddon and Cynthia Betty Cockrell Whiddon; brothers, Lt. General Orren Ray Whiddon and Richard Abner Whiddon; nephew Richard Allen Whiddon; and special friend, Faye Tyson. The family would like to thank Tina and Chad Huttto of Christian Love Private Care Home in Tenaha and Heart to Heart Hospice for their excellent care of Susan in her last days.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday December 6, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation beginning at noon. Brother Randy Smith and Brother Jody Hooper will officiate. Interment will follow at Joaquin Cemetery in Joaquin.
Pallbearers will be Steve Cockrell, Forrest Whiddon, Liam Whiddon, Patrick Duffy, Daniel Berry and Chad Hutto. Honorary pallbearers are Prentice and Rodney Whiddon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences & tributes can be sent to www.watsonandsonsfh.com
