Susanne Gabriel Arthur

Susanne Gabriel Arthur passed from this earthly life to eternal life on Sunday, July 6, 2025. Susanne was born in Clarksburg, WV on August 9, 1942. She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, the Rev. Dr. William LaClair Arthur as well as her parents, Harold Richards and Kathleen Van Horn Gabriel and infant sister, Linda Sue.

Susanne was a church pianist and organist from age 10 until her marriage. She graduated from Salem College in 1967 with a Business Education degree. She worked most of her career as a legal secretary in Clarksburg, WV, Columbia, SC and Atlanta, GA. She also worked for Auburn University’s Department of Curriculum and Teaching during the early 90’s. Prior to retiring, she published a cookbook titled, “Seasoned in the South” a collection of recipes gathered over the years and full of family stories and anecdotes from her eventful experiences as a minister’s wife.

In her amazing journey shared with Bill, they enjoyed travelling to many countries – Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Italy, England, Wales, Puerto Rico, as well as half the states in the US and provinces in Canada. She also took advantage of travelling with a friend on cruises to Australia and Norway. Travelling only 1300 miles from the North Pole, she said she never dreamed she’d stand at the “Top of the World.”

She and Bill loved being part of the Greenville Chautauqua Society and attending summer programs at the Chautauqua Institute in New York. During her years as an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, she served the group by running a Bed & Breakfast out of their home in Dunwoody, GA. She and Bill appreciated getting to know women from all over the country while also raising funds for women’s education and development. She was a member of circles in each of the churches that Bill served and enjoyed cooking and decorating tables for church functions. In her later years, she was a member of the Library Guild and Bill’s Book Club at First Presbyterian Church Spartanburg.

She is survived by her daughter, Amy Arthur Schaible (Chip) of Taylors, SC and her son, William David Arthur (Shannon) of Fort Mill, SC. The “grandest” of all her joys were Mary Elizabeth Chan (Michael) of Fayetteville, NC, Sarah Margaret Schaible of Taylors, SC, William Maynard Schaible of Charlotte, NC, Carys Lleulu Arthur and Greenlee Elizabeth Arthur of Fort Mill. She was also blessed to meet her first great-grandchild, Daniel Aaron Chan.

At 10:00 AM, on August 9th, 2025 (which would have been her 83rd birthday), a celebration of life will be held in the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church, 393 E. Main St. Spartanburg, SC 29302. She will be inurned at the church’s Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Music Fund at First Presbyterian Church, 393 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302.

Floyd’s North Church Street