Susan Henderson Askins

Susan Elizabeth Henderson Askins passed away peacefully at home in Midland, Texas on March 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 26, 1944, in Longview, Texas to Elizabeth Ann (Beth) Henderson while her father, Richard L. Henderson, was flying B-24 bombers and P-51 Mustang fighter planes over Germany during WWII.

Susan attended elementary school in Houston and Longview. Her family moved to Midland just in time to make new “batches” of friends at San Jacinto Jr High School.

She was in the first graduating class of the new Lee High School and elected as the first Homecoming Queen and a member of the Rebel Court. For many summers, she attended Camp Waldemar for Girls in Hunt, Texas and was voted as Comanche Tribe Leader.

Susan graduated from The University of Texas in 1966 where she was a member of the Tri-Delta sorority. She received her master’s degree in education from The University of Houston; and, following in her father’s footsteps, even earned her pilot’s license. She had a brief career as an elementary school teacher and later joined her father’s business, Rich Air Company. She was a member of the Junior League of Midland, a lifetime member of the PTA, and served as deacon and elder at First Presbyterian Church of Midland.

In 1966, Susan married Terry G. Collins and had one daughter, Kendall Elizabeth.  They divorced and in 1974 she married Gary D. Askins and had two sons, Mason Houston, and Cooper Henderson until their divorce in 1986.

Among her many delights, Susan loved meeting for laughter-filled Saturday lunches with her closest longtime friends, attending book club, and watching her grandchildren perform their sports, theatrical and musical talents. She loved spending time at family homes in Montana and Colorado. She was a world traveler and visited England, Spain, Scotland, Mexico, and Tanzania. While in college, she spent a semester in Hawaii where she took hula dancing.

As a true lectiophile, Susan was an avid reader and five-o’clock news fanatic. She loved games, puzzles, April Fools pranks on her children, and worked the weekday New York Times crossword. At family gatherings, she ensured laughter was always on the menu. Her eyes leaked with joy at every hello, goodbye and all the in-betweens. In the words of Susan, these were all a “good deal.”

Susan was a pillar of strength and love to her children Kendall, Mason, and Cooper; and cherished “MomMom” to her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her grace, wisdom, steadfast love, and endless generosity; and as the devoted caregiver to her mother, Beth Priddy, her father Richard, and her brother Rick.

Susan is preceded in death by her father Richard and stepmother Elma Jean Henderson; mother Beth and stepfather Charles Priddy; brother Rick Henderson; stepsister June Jarrett; and stepbrothers Bob Priddy and Charles Priddy, Jr.

She is survived by her daughter, Kendall Smith and her husband Rusty of Midland; son Mason Askins and his fiance Aprile Thompson of Midland; son Cooper Askins and his wife Stephanie of Austin; grandchildren Presley Shaw and her husband Patrick; Elizabeth Ann and Collins Smith; Elliot and Forrest Askins; great-grandson Henderson Shaw; stepsister Barbara Clark and her husband John; stepsister Susan Jarrett; stepbrother Walter Priddy and his wife Kim; aunt Blanche Brick and her husband Bob; and numerous beloved cousins.

The family would like to thank Dr. Shylesh Ganta; Dr. Phillip Chae and the staff at Texas Oncology; Dr. Ghayas Issa and the staff at MD Anderson; Laurie Fulton at Homecare Plus; Misty Olvera and Jessica Sotelo at Interim Healthcare Hospice; and give appreciation to Frances Cortenas and her daughter Angel Denick for their longtime familial support.

Finally, the family extends their deepest condolences to all her friends and cousins that she loved so much for so many years, including her dearest Midland friends: Debbie Bakke, Linda Bennett, Adelle Dowling, Eleanor Harper, Marilyn Mathis, Kathie Shapira, and Mark Maloney.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 am, Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church in Midland.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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