Susan Kay Root

     Susan Kay “Sue” Root, age 70, St. Johns, passed away unexpectedly at her home on September 24, 2025.
     Sue was born in the middle of a blizzard on January 13, 1955, to Barbara Jean Smith and Harry Albert Root in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Sue loved spending time with various close cousins, playing in her grandparent’s barn or camping on “The Back 80.” She began her education at St. Cecilia Catholic School, but moved to Barryton Elementary School in 1964, with the sudden passing of her Grandpa Dale Root. In order to assist her Grandma Edna, the family moved to the Root family dairy farm in Barryton. There, she learned to work hard, helping her parents with chores and found her life-long love of animals. She raised heifers and showed them at the county fair with 4-H. Always filled with a bright spirit and a contagious laugh, Sue loved meeting people and made many life-long friends from high school. After graduating from Chippewa Hills High School in 1973, Sue had held a variety of jobs in Clare and Grand Rapids, before moving to Lansing to begin working for the Accident Fund and the Department of Community Health, totaling nearly 37 years with the State of Michigan . She eventually made her home in St. Johns, retiring in January 2015.
     A devoted daughter, Sue took good care of her parents, especially supporting her mother after her father passed. She deeply loved her cats, especially Maggie and Max.
      Sue is survived by her mother, Barbara (Smith) Root of Mount Pleasant, MI; her uncles: Duane Root of Reed City, MI; Eugene (Susan Alward Grow) Root of Remus, MI; and her aunt, Janet Jenks of Grand Blanc, MI; and many cousins
      Sue loved to line dance and attended the dances at Hawk Hallow, where she met many more lifelong friends. She enjoyed hanging out with her girlfriends and favored Dagwoods, Franks Press Box, and Horrocks. Sue also loved to travel around the state of Michigan and the United States. She often made trips to Northern Michigan, planning trips in the fall for Color Tours and to Mackinaw City. The most recent trip Sue took was to Mackinaw City and Tahquamenon Falls. Sue’s most happy place was sitting and looking at the Mackinac Bridge.
     She was preceded in death by her father, Corp. Harry A. Root (2004) of Barryton, MI; her paternal grandparents, Dale Root (1964) and Viola Edna (Gunckel) Root Brand (2005) of Barryton, MI; her maternal grandparents Albert M. Smith (1972) and Bertha Katherine (Martin) Smith (1977) of Clare, MI; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
     A Graveside Service will be held on October 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Forest Hill Church Cemetery (W. Weidman Rd. Weidman, MI). A Celebration of Life Luncheon will follow from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Fork Township Community Center (3265 20 Mile Rd. Barryton, MI). All are welcome. A second Celebration of Life will be held at One North Kitchen and Bar, (5001 W Saginaw, Lansing, MI) from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
     In lieu of flowers, to honor and memory of Sue, please consider donating to Capital Area Humane Society, Happy Feet Pet Rescue in St. Johns, Michigan or to the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.