Mary Susan Chester Seawel, 76, of Pocahontas, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Just moments before her passing, family gathered around her bedside in prayer and song, entrusting her to her Savior and to the joyful reunion with her beloved husband and parents.

On August 4, 1949, Susan was born to farmers Virgil and Shirley Waddle Chester of the McIlroy community on the Eleven Point River, a place deeply woven into her family's history. Her father's ancestors settled along that storied stream before Arkansas achieved statehood, and the hills and waters of northeast Arkansas remained part of the landscape that shaped her throughout her life.

Before marrying, Susan taught school in Hillsboro, Missouri, and owned and operated a boutique dress shop in St. Louis. She eventually accepted a position teaching English and journalism at Maynard Public Schools, where Superintendent Harmon Ray Seawel hired the spirited young educator who would soon become his wife and lifelong partner. She later became the district's K–12 librarian, the role she cherished until her retirement in 1997, while advising an award-winning yearbook staff and inspiring generations of students to discover the joy of reading.

On November 21, 1973, Susan married Harmon Ray Seawel, and together they built a life centered on faith, family, education, and service. They raised and educated their sons, Chester and James, in Maynard, devoted themselves to the local school system and to area Churches of Christ—particularly the congregations at Palestine, Dalton, and Maynard—and became steadfast advocates for the people of Randolph County. Susan was a devoted preacher's wife, though never a conventional one. Her faith was genuine, her convictions were strong, and she was every bit as likely to speak her mind as she was to quietly serve behind the scenes.

Susan possessed a vibrant personality and a spirited independence all her own. She was every bit Harmon's partner-not merely standing beside him, but walking with him every step of the way. She was his trusted confidante, his most constructive critic, and his fiercest advocate. Whether championing stronger schools, serving their church, or standing up for neighbors who needed a voice, they worked as partners. They were unapologetic Yellow Dog Democrats of the old Arkansas variety—the kind who measured politicians less by the letter after their names than by whether every child deserved a good school, every family deserved access to quality healthcare and mental healthcare, God's creation was worth protecting, and the poor were still Christ's responsibility. They could argue politics until supper got cold, then feed you anyway. Together, they became unwavering advocates for the people of Randolph County.

Raised by parents whose college educations were interrupted by their service during World War II, Susan took special pride in becoming a first-generation college graduate. She graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1967, a class she loved and remained proud to call her own throughout her life. Eager to begin the work she believed she was called to do, she completed her bachelor's degree in education from Arkansas State University in only three years, graduating early in 1970 so she could begin teaching as soon as possible. Teaching was never merely a profession to Susan—it was her vocation. She later earned a Master's degree in Library Science, further preparing herself for the role that would become the hallmark of her career.

Susan believed that books could change lives. She founded the annual Charlie May Simon Quiz Bowl for schools in Northeast Arkansas, bringing together elementary students from across the region to celebrate reading and literature. She also helped establish educational field trips that introduced rural students to museums, historical sites, and cultural experiences throughout Arkansas, southern Missouri, and the Memphis area. She understood that a child's education should extend well beyond the classroom walls.

Her greatest satisfaction, however, came one student at a time. She not only taught children how to read-she taught many to love reading. Few things delighted her more than quietly placing a novel or classic into the hands of an FFA member or basketball player who didn't want his buddies to know he enjoyed reading simply for the pleasure of it.

She was equally influential in the lives of countless young women. At a time when many rural girls assumed their future would begin and end at home, Susan gently insisted they dream bigger. She believed wholeheartedly in marriage and motherhood, but she also believed women belonged in college classrooms, libraries, businesses, schools, and professions of every kind. Generations of former students have credited her with encouraging them to pursue higher education, meaningful careers, and lives of lifelong learning.

Her faith was not confined to Sunday mornings. Susan devoted decades to teaching children's Bible classes and later established the first women's Bible study at the Maynard Church of Christ, encouraging women to study Scripture thoughtfully and deeply.

Susan's love of books extended beyond the classroom. She was the author of four children's books and co-authored a local history book with Harmon, preserving stories she believed deserved to be remembered. Beyond her work in the classroom and the church, she also served for many years as a feature writer for the Pocahontas Star Herald, where she was mentored by legendary editor Ann B. Carroll. She delighted in preserving both imagination and history for generations to come because she knew stories gave ordinary people an enduring place in the world. Whether writing for children or preserving the history of her beloved community, Susan believed stories were worth saving because people were worth remembering.

Susan lived life at full volume. She loved deeply, laughed loudly, cried freely, and, when necessary, left absolutely no doubt where she stood. She expected respect, believed discipline was an act of love, and never confused kindness with weakness. Her family knew her as passionate, fiercely protective, and wonderfully expressive—a woman who could move from tears to laughter in a single conversation and somehow make both feel perfectly natural. Beneath every emotion was an enormous heart, one that loved her family, her students, and her community with unwavering devotion. She never did anything halfway, and no one who met her was likely to forget her.

Susan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harmon Ray Seawel, and by her parents, Virgil and Shirley Chester.

She is survived by her sons, Chester Seawel and his wife, Shelly, and James Seawel; her cherished grandchildren, Jayden, Morgan, and Mason; her brothers, James Ray Chester, John Chester, and Joe Chester; her sister, Leah Chester-Davis; her beloved "Skaggs Sisters," faithful friends Jacque Steele, Bonnie Collins, and Linda Leach; her dearest friend and birthday twin, Doris Brown Sharp; and her devoted caregiver, Mary Watson, whose loving care and companionship blessed Susan and her family in countless ways for many years. She also leaves behind several nephews, great-nieces and nephews, extended family members, treasured friends, neighbors, fellow educators, church family, and generations of former students whose lives were forever enriched by her love of learning and her unwavering belief in their potential.

Visitation for Mary Susan Chester Seawel will be Thursday, July 30, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at McNabb Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 31, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the McNabb Funeral Home Chapel with Doris Brown Sharp and Leah Chester-Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Palestine Cemetery with graveside remarks by Ligie Waddell.