Susie (Mary Louise) Dunaway Gearing was born to Don and Ealizabeth Dunbar on December 5, 1930, and lived much of her early life in Santa Ana, California. She passed away October 4, 2024, in Livingston, Texas.

She married Jack Barker and they were the parents of three children Christina, Annette and Todd. After that marriage was dissolved she attended Santa Ana College, Chapman College and Long Beach State University and reared three children as a single parent. After receiving her teaching credentials she taught school in Santa Ana for sixteen years before retiring to work at Baxter Medical Instruments until 1990. She then relocated to Livingston, Texas, to work for the Escapee RV Club as copy editor of the club's magazine for many years.

Susie was very active in the community and the Escapees Park, she and Ray Gearing, whom she later married, founded the Polk County affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. She served as president of the Livingston Rotary Club, 2013 - 2014. Her many many civic and church activities included choir director, highway cleanup leader, blood drive chairman, line dancing leader, and many others.

A memorial service will be held for Susie at the Escapees CARE Center, 155

Care Center Dr., October 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.