Susan “Birdie” Powell Waldrep, 72, of Trussville, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2022.
Susan Waldrep
She was born in Birmingham on November 6, 1949, to William and Emily Powell, the founders of Fairmont Foundry, Inc. Susan attended Brooke Hill and Banks High School, Class of 1967. At the age of 17, she was swept off her feet and married the love of her life, David Waldrep, on July 3, 1967.
She will be remembered to those closest to her as Mama, Grammy, and Birdie, the retired fairy-godmother. As a devoted Christian, avid reader, passionate friend, wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, lifetime Girl Scout, Wayfarer with the Cahaba Council, she embraced life in a creative, whimsical, and magical way. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Susan, such as a cigarette in one hand and a Coke in the other, shopping from home, watching old movies, reading her Bible, and “toe planting.” She had an uncanny ability to connect with children and animals and instill in others a passion for learning. Susan derived joy from her relationships with family and friends and was a bright star to many.
If it’s possible to capture the essence, she effortlessly radiated, her talents include, but are never limited to: interior designer, vocalist, painter, floral arranger, artist, poet, thespian, dancer, storyteller, story writer, cook, swimmer, Debutante, spiritual advisor, history scholar, counselor, community volunteer, etc. Yet, her self-proclaimed greatest dream was fulfilled by being a mom to her children. Her limitless imagination was projected in the years she spent directing summer camps for Camp Coleman and Camp Kanawahala. Her laugh was contagious, and her Girl Scout day camps of the 1980s were legendary. Some of her characters include Gypsy Sue, Queen Susan, Kassim Susim, Texas Sue, Captain Trueblood.
She is survived by her husband, David, of 54 years; her brother, Donald (Marilyn) Powell; her children: Wendy Olivia (Tony) Anselmo of Trussville, Leigh (Mark) Sales of Coeur d’Alene, ID, Wes Waldrep, Sandy “Sunny” (Ivan) Vitanov of Columbus, GA; grandchildren: Adell (Tanner) McCracken, Samantha, Alex, and Frankie Anselmo, Sydney Sales, Lindsey (Austin) Boschma, Evie, Baron, Maxim, and Grant Vitanov; great-granddaughter, Claire McCracken, and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Emily Powell, her brother William “Bill” Powell Jr., her sister, Patricia “Patty” Willett.
Visitation will take place on Monday, January 31, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Jefferson Memorial, with a funeral service immediately following.
){kind=link}