Susan Jo Farmer Martens (1947-2025)

Susan Jo Farmer Martens, 77, of Dallas, Texas, went to be with the Lord on March 26, 2025.

Born on July 3, 1947, in Kennett, Missouri, to Joanne Tatum and James Cullum Farmer, Susie Jo graduated from Kennett High School before pursuing a degree in Fashion Merchandising at Texas Christian University (TCU). While at TCU, she made 4 best friends who remained close, traveling and reuniting often throughout their adult lives.

She interned at Nieman Marcus working for "Mr. Stanley," before becoming a clerk at the general information desk at the Dallas Public Library. She would get phone calls throughout the day from people asking the types of questions one would put in a search bar today; she was Google before Google! Susie Jo would often share fascinating stories about the questions asked and the people she encountered at the library.

While there, she met and married her husband of 49 years, Dan Earl Martens. They were set up on a blind date the Tuesday before the OU v Texas game in 1973. They then attended the crushing defeat of Texas by OU, and the rest is history! They married on April 3, 1976.

In her thirties, Susie Jo was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a condition that gradually led to her blindness over the next 40 years. Despite this challenge, she remained an active and vibrant participant in her children's lives. She and Dan raised two wonderful children, Katy and Daniel, who were the center of her world. Susie Jo dedicated much of her time to volunteering in various roles, including Vacation Bible School Director at St. Andrew Methodist Church, Cub Scout Den Mom, National Charity League, and PTA President.

Susie Jo was deeply involved in her faith and community. She and her family were charter members of St. Andrew Methodist Church, where she became an original member of the Mary Martha Bible Study and the Christian Living Sunday School Class. Together with Dan, she volunteered with The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and Journey of Hope in Collin County, giving back to those in need.

She also enjoyed traveling to Vashon, Washington, to visit her brother, as well as eating "The Dinner" at Joe T's in Fort Worth. Susie Jo loved "visiting" with people and getting to know them. And she made a mean cherry pie!

She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James "Jimmy" Farmer. She is survived by her beloved husband, Dan; daughter Kathryn "Katy" White and her husband Cory; son Daniel Martens and his wife Erin; and her treasured grandchildren, Hannah and Emily White, and Travis, Coleman, and Macie Cate Martens. She is also survived by her sister, Kathy Solter, and her brother, Joe Farmer.

A memorial service will be held on April 7, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Retina Foundation of the Southwest or St. Andrew Methodist Church.