SPOILIN’ THE BROTH
Neighbor Grover sez rich is not having to arrange your vacation so you arrive home on payday.
St. James Missionary Baptist Church’s huge congregation in Austin can keep a secret.
Just ask Rockdale native Susie Sansom Piper, 96, a member of that congregation which honored her with a surprise luncheon following morning worship on Sunday.
Tributes flowed like wine (actually, sweet tea was served) during a program secretly arranged by granddaughter Tamara Hebert Powell and others.
Susie had a 41-year career teaching in the Rockdale public schools, 23 at Aycock School where she was the final principal before desegregation, and then in the Rockdale ISD.
It was no surprise that spoken tributes were given by graduates of both Aycock and RHS. Former students attended from all over Central Texas and beyond.
Reporter readers know Susie as a historian who writes a Black History Month series on the life and times of Rockdale African Americans. Ironically, not only did her career as an educator last 41 years, so has her Black History series and, thankfully, it is ongoing. She shows no signs of slowing down.
Son Ken and I were honored to be invited to speak at this event. Susie taught all four of our children. She brilliantly taught the subject matter, but also instilled responsibility, respect, citizenship, honor and patriotism.
Ken called his brother Kyle for some input. Kyle remembered well: “You didn’t test Ms. Susie; she tested you.”
During Ken’s time at the podium, he read Reporter Editor Mike Brown’s excellent editorial on Susie published Feb. 15 during Black History Month and titled “National Treasure.”
Laced with humor and love, tributes were given by, in addition to former students, friends, family and members of St. James where Susie has been active for more than a dozen years since moving to Austin to be near family. She edits the church newsletter, Refl ections, and serves as pianist for the Goldenaires, a choir of senior citizens.
As Mike’s editorial reminded, Susie was chosen as keynote speaker at the LBJ Library’s 50th anniversary celebration of the signing of the Voting Rights Act. The symposium drew a packed house and Susie gave, as Mike said, a rock star performance.
After all the tributes, her time at the microphone arrived and Susie was again one-up on everyone, both in eloquence and humor that repeatedly broke up the house.
“Nobody let the cat out of the bag,” said surprise honoree Susie Piper, “not even my mouthy grandson (Emzy Jerome Hebert, standing).”
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