ROCKY MOUNT – Suzanne Mauk Yates, age 71, died April 24, 2013.  Formerly of El Campo and Portland, Texas, she was born on December 15, 1941 in Houston, Texas.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Edward Mauk and Mary Sue Mauk; step-mother, Mary Louise Mauk; and special friend, Patrick Leary.

She grew up in the Heights and graduated from JH Reagan High School where she was a Reagan Red Coat. She continued her education and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin where she was a Delta Zeta. She also received a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and Mid-Management from the University of Houston. She was a lifelong educator, serving as a teacher, principal, director of elementary education, and was the first female school board member in El Campo. She was a member of the Lion’s Club, Rotary Club, TSTA, Xi Mu Chi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, and Director of the El Campo Boys and Girls Club. She enjoyed many years of combing the beach for sand dollars and shark’s teeth at Jamaica Beach in Galveston, Texas. She spent many summers directing the Summer Youth Program in El Campo and taught numerous children how to swim in private lessons. She enjoyed working in the yard and spending time with friends and family. She was affectionately known as Nana by her grandchildren, Suzie by her many friends, and “Mrs. Yates” by all the school children she taught over the years.

She is survived by two daughters, Christine Marsh McKeel and husband, Wally, of Ahoskie, and Caroline Stussie and husband, Brandon, of Rocky Mount; two grandsons, Lawson Yates Marsh of Ahoskie, and Riley Turner Stussie of Rocky Mount; a step-daughter Tracey Yates Talbert and husband, David, of Glen Allen, VA; two step-granddaughters, Tristen and Mallory Talbert; and a brother, Ronald Edward Mauk and wife, Pamela, of Montgomery, TX.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday, April 30 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home in Rocky Mount from 6 to 7:30 pm and Thursday, May 2 at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home in Houston, TX from 1 to 2 pm with graveside services immediately following in the Forest ParkLawndale Cemetery.

At the request of her daughters, memorials may be made in her honor to Boys and Girls Club of El Campo, PO Box 449, El Campo, TX77437 or online http://www.bgcelcampo.org/donate.php.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 and Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale Street, HoustonTX 77023. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.