Obituaries

Susan Elizabeth Fiser Barham

Photo of Susan Elizabeth Fiser Barham
Susan Elizabeth Fiser Barham passed away at home on Monday, January 21, surrounded by family and friends. Born on June 12, 1947 in Russellville, Arkansas to Paul and Alice Martin Fiser, Susan was blessed with "a green paradise of childhood," surrounded by her brother Marty, sister, Alice Ann, and their loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Susan's beloved horses, dogs, and cats completed their family and home. After graduating from Russellville Public Schools, she attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where her already great love of literature was further inspired. She studied under such titans of teaching as James Whitehead, Leo van Scyoc, Ben Kimpel, and T.C.D. Eaves, all of which were significant influences upon her decision to become an educator herself. She received both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in English. In 1972 she married Russell Cody and they had a daughter, Caroline Elizabeth Cody, whom she cherished as one of her life's greatest gifts. Upon moving to Little Rock in 1970, Susan joined the faculty at Mount Saint Mary Academy, where she served as chair of the English Department. In 1975 she became a member of the faculty at Parkview Arts and Sciences High School where she taught for thirty-five years, thirty-three of which were in the same classroom. Her academic excellence was recognized when she was tapped to chair the school's department of English and Language Arts. She was also a recipient of the Stephens Award for Excellence in Teaching. As one of the creators of the annual performance "Tales of the Crypt" featuring Parkview drama students and set at the historic Mount Holly Cemetery, she co-directed this event for 15 years. She was a member of the Little Rock Classroom Teachers' Association, the Arkansas Education Association, the Arkansas Council of Teachers of English and the National Council of Teachers of English. Stimulated by a deep love and wide knowledge of literature, language, art, history and culture, Susan taught with wit and zest, influencing the lives of thousands of students over her long career. Susan's love for Arkansas and the South was well known. However, another of her great passions was travel that she often characterized as the most various and pleasurable way to learn. She experienced many cultures and countries in her travels in Europe, as well as those of China and Japan, frequently serving as a tour guide for her students. In 2008 she married Ed Barham, whom she described as "her twin soul." Susan is survived by her husband Ed, her dear daughter Caroline Cody, her stepson Ben (Jill) Barham, her sister Alice Ann Munson (Lee) Munson, and brother Martin (Debra) Fiser of Little Rock. Also surviving her is her grandson, John Lewis Barham, nieces, Alissa Coffield and Kathryn Fiser; nephews, Wesley Fiser, Barrett Fiser, Noel Fiser, and Eric Munson. Visitation for family and friends is planned at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home 13801 Chenal Parkway Little Rock, Ark. (501) 224-8300 from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday evening. She was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, where a memorial service will be held on Friday, January 25 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Arkansas Ovarian Cancer Coalition or to C.A.R.E. (Central Arkansas Rescue Effort). Online Guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

Published January 25, 2013

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