2026 Presbyterian Women – Honorary Life Member
Who are Presbyterian Women? We, women of this church, are. Today we are proud to present a 2026 Honorary Life Membership to one of our members.
As Presbyterian Women we are called to nurture our faith, support the mission of the church worldwide, work for justice and peace, AND build an inclusive community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) and witnesses to the promise of God’s Kingdom. As Presbyterian Women we do this with our time, our talents, and our tithes.
This year’s Presbyterian Women Honorary Life Member recipient is very deserving of this honor and has a servant’s heart. SHE has been very active in Presbyterian Women’s activities and church responsibilities as well. She has helped, or led, in all areas of the church year and activities—Easter Egg hunts, VBS teacher and leader, Fall Fellowship, decorating and undecorating the church at Christmas, church workdays, garage sales– start to finish. She has worked with our youth in Sunday School, hosted and chaperoned youth activities and trips. She continues taking care of our members experiencing sickness or bereavement with notes, meals, and prayers as she led the care committee for several years.
More recently she has generously worked with Ladies Who Love the Lord’s quarterly giving projects and Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services Christmas baskets for the foster families. She has served on numerous committees in the church. She has served as a Deacon, and an Elder repeatedly, and PW Moderator repeatedly.
She was educated in the Kansas City, Missouri, school system, where she excelled in volleyball and track, played on the men’s tennis team—yes, you heard that correctly—and served as drum majorette. Her athletic accomplishments were so impressive that she was named Female Athlete of the Year her senior year.
She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Central Missouri State University, and after graduation she married her high school sweetheart, RJ Farmer. She was a gifted teacher and worked several part-time jobs while he attended dental school. So, in addition to being a wonderful wife and teacher, she was apparently also the family’s early financial department!
In 1983, today’s very surprised recipient moved to Mesquite. From this point forward, let’s just call this unexpected honoree Susan—because we don’t want her figuring out too soon where this is going!
Susan continued sharing her gift for teaching in the Mesquite Independent School District and soon began raising a family, including two wonderful sons, Drew and Cort.
After her sons flew the nest to pursue higher education, Susan began a 15-year career at the Dallas Arboretum, where she became a highly respected and gifted science teacher. Her passion for teaching, her love of learning, and her ability to make science interesting made a lasting impression on countless students.
And then came an even more important chapter—grandchildren!
Drew and his wife, Abby, gave us two beautiful, fun, loving granddaughters, Ellie and Josie.
Kirk’s daughter, Lauren, and her husband, Krys, gave us two amazing grandsons, Ayden and Beckham.
And finally, Kirk’s, son Jonathan, and daughter-in-law Lisa are expecting a baby girl at the end of December. And if history is any indication, this little girl will quickly learn that the word “no” apparently does not exist at Grandma’s house! She will, of course, be showered with love, spoiled just a little—or perhaps a lot—and serenaded with more baby songs than anyone ever knew existed.
Susan loves her family, and she dearly loves her church family. But I think we can all agree that her grandchildren occupy a very special place in her heart—and they certainly love their Grandma Susan right back.
In fact, all the grandchildren love going to Grandma Susan’s house, where they have discovered an amazing place where the word “NO” apparently does not exist.
Grandma Susan’s house has rules—but fortunately for the grandchildren, she has chosen not to enforce any of them!
Susan has spent her life teaching, serving, loving, encouraging, and giving to others. She has been a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, friend, and faithful member of her church family.
For all these reasons—and for the countless ways she has quietly served others, it is our great honor to recognize her today.
So, please join me in giving a huge hand of gratitude and appreciation to the 2026 Presbyterian Women’s Honorary Life Member…Susan Farmer.
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