Mary Sue “Susie” Grunden

Mary Sue “Susie” McNew Grunden passed away Sunday, February 18, 2024, at home in DeRidder, LA at the age of 86 years, 6 months, and 25 days.  Visitation will be Wednesday, February 21 from 9-11am at Chaddick Funeral Home.  Funeral service will be Wednesday, February 21 at 11am at Chaddick Funeral Home.  Interment will be at Whitaker Cemetery.  Mr. Robert Eberhardt will officiate. Mary Sue was born July 23, 1937 in Hurst Springs, TX.  She graduated from high school in Rose Bud, TX.  She then attended Dhurm’s Business College in Austin, TX.  Upon graduating, she took a job in the water department in Waco, TX.  She soon became the water superintendent’s secretary for 14 years. Mary Sue married Clarence Grunden on June 16, 1961, and began their 62 years, 8 months, and 2 days together in Waco, TX.  She became a mother on December 22, 1969, to a daughter named Jessica Furne’.  She was a stay-at-home mom for several years.  She became an optician and owned and operated Contessa Optical for 25 years in San Antonio, TX.  Upon retiring, Mary Sue was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.  She fought the disease, having many precious years with her loved ones before becoming bedfast and succumbing to it. Survivors include her husband, Clarence Grunden of DeRidder, LA; daughter, Jessica Trapp & Dennis Tumlinson of New Braunfels, TX; grandson, James Trapp of Austin, TX; two sisters, Dorothy Mathias of Temple, TX and Omie Phelan of Prague, OK; and multiple nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter A. and Jessie Chambers McNew; and brother, Alton Lee McNew. Condolences can be made at chaddickfuneralhome.com