Susan Marie Andrews

Susan Marie (Youll) Andrews, 68, of Bentonville, Arkansas passed away on Friday, August 2nd, 2024 at her home, surrounded by close family and so much love. Susan battled cancer for seven years, and we were blessed to have extra time with her because she fought so hard and showed such indomitable strength.

Susan was born October 11, 1955, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Jim and Lorna Youll. She lived in Anthon, Iowa until age ten, and then in Sac City, Iowa until age 18. It was in Anthon where she received her first horse, a pony named Shadow, as a gift from her parents to Susan and her siblings. This is where the adventure began.

After being a cheerleader, synchronized swimmer, majorette, and member of National Honor Society at Sac Community High School, Susan earned her horology degree at Gem City College in Quincy, Illinois. She then moved to Dallas, Texas where she worked as a jeweler for several years. In early 1979, she met Barry (John Barrett) Andrews, took him to an Oak Ridge Boys concert, and they married in 1980. Barry and Susan lived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where their son, Jeremy, was born in 1981, and in Dallas, Texas in 1983 where their daughter, Quin, was born. In 1984, Barry and Susan moved to Arkansas, where Susan continued to work as a jeweler in Bentonville. She also had her own jewelry repair business, The Jeweler’s Bench, where she made many beautiful and cherished pieces for her family and friends. When she retired, she was a master of her craft, even making original tools to do specialized jobs. Susan was a true artist, excelling in both jewelry making and painting, with horses being her favorite subject to paint.

In 1993, Susan acquired her second horse, King David, followed by her third, Thunder, and her fourth, Little Red Sheba. She embraced the cowgirl lifestyle throughout her life, finding adventure and peace in riding, and laughter and friendship around the campfire while roasting marshmallows. Susan and Barry traveled extensively to ride horses, with notable trips to Canada, Mexico, Arizona, South Dakota, and Ireland. However, Susan always believed that the trails in Arkansas and Missouri could rival any in the world for their beauty and charm. She often said that she felt closest to God while in the saddle and that the splendor of God’s creation served as her therapy. Riding horses brought Susan her greatest joy, especially when her children or grandchildren joined her on the trail.

Susan delighted in loving her family. She loved them fiercely and joyfully. She felt so honored to be loved by her wonderful mother, father, sister, and brothers, and she was immensely proud of her husband, children, and grandchildren. Susan is preceded in death by her beloved father, Jim Vinton Youll, of Sac City, Iowa. Susan is survived by her husband, Barry Andrews, her mother, Lorna Jean (Hunter) Youll, her sister, Jean Ann (Youll) Jacobsen, her brother, John DeWayne Youll, and her brother Allan Lee Youll. She is also survived by her children, son Jeremy John Andrews and Lindsay Andrews, her daughter Quin Allison (Andrews) Showalter and Kirk Showalter and her grandchildren, Christian Showalter (19), Stella Showalter (17), Kherington Andrews (14), Lucie Showalter (14), and Kennedy Andrews (11), along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Susan also left behind her cherished horses John, Image, and Traveler, and her loving dogs, Watson and Heidi.

Susan taught us what it means to live and love big, chase the adventure, and find happiness in life. She loved to find the perfect gift, laugh until she cried, and make memories with her family and friends. She taught her kids about integrity, hard work, and kindness, but most of all joy. She sang in the car, danced in the kitchen, and was thrilled to find a cool tree or rock on her trail rides. Her memory is a blessing to all who knew her, and she will live in our hearts forever. Susan had faith in God and Heaven, and she loved the following Bible verse: “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8: 38-39).

Though we mourn her deeply, we celebrate a life lived to the fullest, knowing she made the world brighter for having been here. Her legacy of love and adventure will continue to inspire us all. Susan requested a Celebration of Life, which will be held at Ponderosa Campground (1305 Ponderosa Road, Pineville, Missouri 64856) on Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 pm. Please join us to share good food, fond memories, and maybe even a few laughs.

Susan felt passionately about preserving horse trails in Missouri and Arkansas. She requested that any donations in her honor go to Arkansas Back Country Horsemen of America. To donate, you can give to Barry, Venmo Quin (@QuinShowalter), or visit arkansasbch.org/make-a-donation/.