Susan (Brown) Biggs

F. Susan Biggs was born February 20, 1937, in Crawford County, MO, the middle daughter of John G. and Neva Viola Brown. She passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, just 10 days shy of her 88th birthday.

Sue’s happy childhood included singing in the Crawford County Chorus, a singing group made up of students from Crawford County’s elementary schools. The group performed locally as well as at the annual Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, where they routinely took first place. It was a family activity with Sue’s father driving the bus, Sue’s mother serving as a teacher adviser and Sue’s two sisters joining in singing with the choir. Sue graduated from Steelville High School in 1954, where she sang in the chorus, played French horn in the band, acted in school plays, was a cheerleader and edited the yearbook.

Sue went on to enroll at Central Methodist College where she majored in voice and minored in piano. After her sophomore year, Sue decided that music was not her intended vocation. She moved to St. Louis and worked for several years. During that time, she met her future husband, Gail. They were married Feb. 8, 1958, and were blessed with two sons – Steven and Scott.

In fall 1962, Sue began teaching, but after two years, she returned as a full-time college student at Lindenwood University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education and later would serve as an adjunct professor in the same education department at Lindenwood in which she had been a student.

Sue returned to teaching but when elementary school librarian positions were created, she transferred from the classroom to the library. Her interest in books no doubt was fostered by her mother who at one time had operated a lending library from their home for neighboring families.

Her quest for knowledge unquenched, Sue earned a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University with a major in Educational Media and Technology. She then achieved her crowning role in education serving as director of libraries and media for the Pattonville School District until her retirement in 1993.

In the ensuing years, Sue and Gail fulfilled their dreams of traveling around the world. They visited every state in the U.S., most of the Canadian provinces and six continents. Their granddaughter Loire referred to them as “the Globetrotting Grandparents.” Sue planned a trip to Antarctica, but Gail passed away before the trip could be taken.

In addition to travel, Sue’s passions included the love of reading, learning, and studying history. She delved deeply into genealogical research and authored numerous books that trace family lineage through several ancestors. She also was an active member of the Jamestowne Society, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865 and the Clan Fergusson Society of North America. 

Chief among her passions was to instill in her children and grandchildren the love for travel, to explore and learn, and to recognize the blessings that have been showered upon them. Mission accomplished, Sue – thank you for the example you and Gail set.  

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, John and Neva Brown; husband Gail Biggs; parents-in-law James Everett and Johnnie Mae Biggs; sister Kathryn Midyett and brother-in-law Bob Midyett; sister-in-law Rene Butts and brother-in-law Vondal Butts, brother-in-law Orin Biggs and sister-in-law Clarinda (Cindy) Biggs, and brother-in-law Kenneth Biggs,

Sue is survived by her sons, Steven Biggs (wife Vicki) and Scott Biggs (wife Stacy); sister Shirley Brown; sister-in-law Anna Mae Biggs; brother-in-law Dan Biggs (wife Carlena); grandchildren Loire Biggs, Abby Allman (husband Michael), Nathan Biggs and Jenna Curtis (husband Ryan); great-grandchildren Addalyn Curtis and Lincoln Allman; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Sue will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Visitation was from 11:00 AM.-1:00 PM on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. Funeral Service immediately followed at 1:00 PM with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Burial was at Stone Hill Cemetery. Memorials were suggested to the Missouri State Society Daughters of the American Revolution to a fund of your choosing.

 Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

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