Susan D. Gebhardt, age 68, of Florence passed away on Friday, September 16, 2016. Visitation will be held from 11:00am until 1:00pm on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at the First Christian Church of Florence. Services will follow at 1:00pm in the church, with Reverend James Storie officiating. Elkins Funeral Home of Florence is in charge.

Susan was a teacher. She taught kindergarten until her own children came along. Later, she became a substitute teacher. She was always mindful of the problems teachers faced when they had been out for a few days, so she was meticulous about following lesson plans and maintaining order in the classroom. Many teachers personally requested her. Her secret was her love of children and of teaching. With children, her own or others, every moment was a teaching moment.

Susan was a minister''s wife, enjoying and suffering all that went with that.

Susan loved playing mah-jongg and her social involvement in Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Susan was the life of the party at any gathering. Shy in some respects, she loved people. If there is a party in heaven, Susan is in it.

Susan''s memory is cherished by Carl, her husband of 48 years, her sons Christopher and Eric, her sisters Ann McQuinn (Jim) and Glenda Loth of Orlando, nieces and nephews, one aunt, and a host of friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Discretionary Fund of First Christian Church of Florence or to the Sidney''s Safe Foundation.