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Susan Lee Booker, a creative and insightful friend, writer, editor, and professor, was born on March 23, 1961, in Richmond. She took her last breath peacefully on July 23, following complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. On that day, the world lost a dear friend who could charm anyone in her presence.

She recently celebrated the five-year anniversary of a generous gift of a pair of lungs from an unknown donor. She was grateful for the extra years and was a true champion of the lifesaving act of organ donation. A voracious reader and book aficionado, Susan was also a hospice volunteer, a lover of haiku poetry, a potter, a knitter, fountain pen enthusiast, an advocate for women’s rights, a political activist, a member of her church’s vestry, and a proud ally of spreading love, justice and equality for all.

Susan graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication in 1983. She spent several years working in public relations and as a newspaper journalist in Virginia before shifting careers to teaching. She returned to Iowa State University for master’s and Ph.D. degrees in English/ Rhetoric and Composition. She taught management communication at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; rhetoric and composition at Hampden-Sydney College; professional communication and writing center pedagogy at Longwood University, and she directed the center for academic success and writing center at Christopher Newport University, all in Virginia.

She is survived by her brother, Bob Booker, of Phoenix, Arizona, and countless friends across the country. She was also a devoted godparent to several of her friends’ children.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Anna Booker of Richmond.

Her family and friends wish to express their gratitude to the remarkable transplant team and skilled and passionate medical professionals at UVA Health in Charlottesville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in her name to her church, Johns Memorial, 400 High Street, Farmville, VA, 23901.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Johns Memorial Episcopal Church, 400 High Street, Farmville. A reception will follow in the church parish hall.

Memories of her will continue to inspire us to live creatively and with thanksgiving, sharing kindness, love, and good writing. May perpetual light shine upon her.