Susie Woodall

Brevard, NC resident Susie Abrams Woodall, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2020 from complications of heart disease.

Susie first arrived in Brevard in 1953 when she and her husband Wade were recruited by Miss Mary Gwynn to join Gwynn Valley Camp as summer staff. They, along with daughter Carol, enjoyed five years of summer camp experience that evolved into a lifetime relationship for Susie. In 1988, Susie became a year-round resident of Brevard when she joined the staff of Gwynn Valley as a full time office administrator. As such, she was often the first person summer staff and campers meet.  She retired from Camp in December 2007. Gwynn Valley offered the opportunity to form lifelong relationships that she treasured beyond measure.

Retirement didn't last too long before she joined the very fun staff at the Transylvania Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center volunteer staff where she and her colleagues loved their time meeting the many visitors to the land of waterfalls. She told so many funny stories about the oddest question of the weekend visitors asked.

She was a true North Carolinian. She was born in eastern North Carolina, graduated from South Edgecombe High School, attended Atlantic Christian College (now Barton) and lived in Littleton, Warrenton, Raleigh and Durham. Wade’s work took them to Palatine, Illinois and retirement took them to Greenville, SC. Following a divorce, Susie settled in her favorite place, Brevard. In 2003 she married Bernie Simmons whom she met at Gwynn Valley. He was an unexpected light in her life that shone brightly, only not long enough. He predeceased her in 2005.

Susie is survived by her daughters, Donna Henderson, Lisa Woodall and Carol Holmes, grandson John Henderson and brother Frank Abrams (Judy). A memorial service will be held at a later date. Interment will be at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery to join Bernie also at a later date.