Sarah Sue “Susie” Bowers Keistler, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, September 30, 2026, at home, surrounded by family. She had just celebrated her 87th birthday on Saturday, September 26. Her faith and family were at the heart of her life, along with friendship, education, sports, and flowers.
Susie was born September 26, 1939, in Goldsboro, North Carolina, to Henry Crawford Bowers and Sallie Hough Bowers. She grew up in Knightdale with her older brother, Dr. Henry “Hank” C. Bowers III, and graduated from high school there in 1957.
While attending Meredith College in Raleigh, Susie met her future husband, Jim Keistler, who was attending nearby North Carolina State College. After graduation, Jim entered the U.S. Army and Susie began teaching in Burlington, North Carolina. They married, and Susie soon joined Jim in Utah, where he was stationed at Dugway Proving Ground. It was the beginning of 64 years of marriage and a life they would build together.
Susie and Jim reared two children, Robert “Bob” William Keistler (Hope) of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Amy Keistler Marshall (Michael) of Raleigh, North Carolina. Together, they were blessed with six grandchildren: Will Keistler (Morgan), Wesley Keistler, Millie Keistler, Thomas Marshall (fiancée Miranda Metz), Tyler Marshall, and Claire Marshall. Their growing family also includes great-granddaughter Summer Keistler, with a baby brother on the way. Susie also leaves behind her nieces, nephew, and extended family, who were an important part of her life.
Susie took great pride in her family and loved being part of their activities, interests, and adventures. At a sporting event, you could always hear Susie cheering from the crowd. She celebrated their accomplishments, encouraged them through challenges, and enjoyed watching each of them find their own way. Her family always knew they could count on her support.
As devoted as Susie was to her family, she was also very much her own person. She knew what she believed, had a strong sense of who she was, and carried that independence and determination throughout her life.
Susie was a natural-born teacher. Whether teaching mathematics in the classroom, sharing her faith, or passing along lessons to her family, teaching was simply part of who she was. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Meredith College in 1961 and her master’s degree in mathematics from East Carolina University in 1964.
After she and Jim moved to Rock Hill, Susie taught mathematics at Winthrop College while their children were young. She later taught at Rawlinson Road Junior High School and Northwestern High School, retiring after a 37-year career in education.
Susie was proud to be both a Rawlinson Road Raider and a Northwestern Trojan. She valued the friendships she built with fellow teachers and staff and enjoyed working alongside them to make a difference for their students. She encouraged her students to work hard and do their best.
Susie’s faith was reflected in all parts of her life, including her love of music. She began playing piano for her church when she was young and continued to fill her home with the familiar hymns she loved. The last song she played at the piano was “It Is Well with My Soul.”
She was a longtime member of Woodland United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and valued the friendships she made through the Fellowship Sunday School Class. After retiring, she also served through the church’s Flower Guild, creating arrangements from the sanctuary flowers to share with others.
Susie loved gardening. She enjoyed working in her yard, tending her plants and flowers, and sharing what she grew. She was a member of the Fleur de Lis Garden Club and an active member of the Junior Woman’s Club.
She also loved sports. Susie played basketball at Knightdale High School and remained an avid fan throughout her life, especially when cheering for the NC State Wolfpack. She was competitive, too. Susie liked to compete, loved to win, and usually did both with a smile.
Susie was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Crawford Bowers and Sallie Hough Bowers; her brother, Dr. Henry “Hank” C. Bowers III; and his wife, Jane.
In the later years of her life, Susie faced a long journey with dementia. The Keistler family is deeply grateful for the many caregivers who supported Susie throughout those years. Stacy Smith, Samantha Holland, and Payton Brooks held a particularly special place in Susie’s life and in the hearts of her family. To the Keistler family, they truly were “Angels on Earth.” Their kindness, patience, compassion, and dignity meant more than words can say. The family will forever be grateful to all who helped care for Susie.
Susie will be deeply missed, but her influence on those she loved will remain. Her love, encouragement, faith, and the lessons she taught will continue to shape the family she loved so dearly.
We will carry her memory with us, and Grandmother will always be in our corner.
Funeral Arrangements
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732.
A service celebrating Susie’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, October 12, 2026, at Woodland United Methodist Church, 801 N. Cherry Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Susie’s memory are invited to make a donation to a charity of their choice.