Susan Enos Inman
GERMANTOWN - Susan E. Inman passed away peacefully at home on January 4, 2024, at the age of 83. Susan Gail Enos was born on June 15, 1940, at Evangelical Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. At an early age, she and her parents, James Galen Enos and Arlena Spurlock Enos, moved to Memphis, where Susan spent most of her childhood. After attending Training School on the campus of Memphis State College (as the University of Memphis was known at that time), the family moved to New Orleans for a brief time where Susan attended Metairie Park Country Day School. They returned to Memphis for Susan’s senior year where she graduated from Central High School (Class of 1958). She began her college life at Vanderbilt University, but her lifelong love of and considerable talents in art led her back to Memphis where she attended and graduated from Memphis College of Art (Class of 1963).
Susan married Frank Inman on August 6, 1960, at St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Memphis. After living in the Summerwood Apartments for several years on Summer Avenue, where they made numerous lifelong friends, the young couple moved to the home where they would live for fifty-four years on Southwood Drive in East Memphis.
In addition to being a professional artist, Susan led an eclectic and exciting life. As a newlywed, she was a model for Laclede’s, a dress shop then located in Midtown, and over the years Susan became a devoted volunteer/member of several local organizations. These included MIFA (delivering meals for years with her next door neighbor and dearest friend), Memphis Artists’ Link, Memphis Arts Council, Dixon Gallery & Gardens (where she was a docent for many years), and others. Her greatest passion and interest was helping adults learn to read and write, which led her to become a longtime, active volunteer at Literacy Mid-south. Many local adults can attribute their literacy ability and proficiency to Susan, and she nurtured the friendships cultivated through these experiences for decades.
Frank and Susan were lovers of travel and other cultures. Through their numerous journeys throughout the U.S., Europe, South America and Africa, they met many people of diverse backgrounds who became lifelong friends. They have always been grateful for these experiences.
Susan’s true colors were on full display when she was hosting get-togethers at their Southwood home, as friends and acquaintances always felt accepted, appreciated and welcomed. Her humility and kindness, along with her artistic talents and creativity, will be greatly missed by all who have known her through the years. Fortunately, many of her paintings remain in the homes and businesses of friends who will have the opportunity to recall her warmth and friendship through these works of art.
Susan leaves her husband of sixty-three years, Frank Inman; one sister, Beth Enos of Portland, OR; three sons, Cole Inman (Andrea) of Eugene, OR, Page Inman (Marla) of Memphis, TN, and Knox Inman of Severn, MD; three grandchildren, Jack Inman (Emma Kate), Sally Inman and Joshua Inman, as well as five great-grandchildren who were the delight of her life these past years. We also want the thank the caregivers for their love and care for Susan. All will miss her dearly.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either MIFA or Literacy Midsouth. In keeping with Susan's wishes, there will be a private family burial and no further services. She simply asked that all who her knew would "have good memories and please do something kind for someone today."