Lion of the Week

Susan Edenfield

[Back}

The Lion of the Week is Susan Edenfield, who gives us this bio.

I am third of eleven children born and raised in Gary, Indiana. Now 6 of us live in TN. Both of my parents are deceased. My dad was a superintendent at the Gary Steel Works. They had retired to Fairfield Glade TN and 4 siblings now live in that area. After graduating from Andrean High School I went on to get a BA degree in elementary education from Marian College in Indianapolis, Indiana. I was married by the time I finished college to the father of my 3 children, Sam, Sandra and Jillyn Pullara. I have held various jobs. Before I finished college I had worked 3 summers in the post office on the night shift. Then I was a substitute teacher - mostly in the inner city of Gary Indiana. Then I took the exams to become a real estate broker and opened an office with my then husband. He didn't sell all that much - I ran the office - but I did train 8 others who also passed the broker exam. I took the classes and worked for H & R Block. I took some post-graduate classes in accounting - but never finished any certification in that. I was a Republican Committeeman in the 70s. I planned and organized by 10th high school class reunion, locating 95% of the classmates. Recently I attended my 40th reunion.

For most of my life, my job was raising my children.
The photo above shows my husband,Peter, me, Sam, Jillyn, Sandra, Lucy

My son Sam is now married to Lucy Choi and they have a daughter, Anna. He is the Vice President of Technology Strategy for Yahoo!. They reside in San Francisco.

My daughter Sandra traveled the world after high school - living in Nepal and traveling throughout India and after a brief return to reload her bank account, she lived for 2 years in Cusco, Peru. Recently she began college and is now a junior. She got married this past July 1st here at the Bridal Chapel and now resides in Richmond, VA with her husband Jake Dorst.

Above are Brian O'Shaughnessy (Jillyn's boyfriend) Jillyn, Peter, Susan, Sandra and husband Jake.

My youngest daughter, Jillyn, became an attorney at the age of 22. She passed the bar for both TN and GA. She has been working in Chattanooga with Grant, Konvalinka and Harrison, primarily in domestic law.

I met my husband, Peter, through a friend in Feb. 1994 when he invested in a house for me to rent from him! By the time we completed all the plans, we were dating and eventually married in July 1995. He had been working as an engineer at Lockheed in Fort Worth, TX. He decided he would like to work with software, so moved up here to complete a master's degree at MTSU in computer science. He's worked as a consultant for various firms around Nashville and currently he is working for Healthstream.

I have always been a sports enthusiast (nicer name for tomboy). I started by playing softball and basketball in my youth. I was even quarterback 3 times in college for the Powder Puff competition between classes. We won all 3 times. As an adult I continued playing softball and also joined bowling leagues and played some recreational tennis. As a mom, I coached softball, was on little league boards, supported soccer teams, dance teams, brownies, cub scouts, dance lessons, and baton twirling. I even played soccer one year while in my 40s! (Still trying to forget my recent attempt at roller skating) Now I satisfy my sports needs by following the VOLS and occasionally a round of golf.

Above - a photo of Anna.
After a divorce, I did substitute teaching in Kingsport, Sullivan County, Franklin SSD and Williamson County schools. Unable to get a full time job at that time, I worked at Toys R Us for 10 years, finishing as a manager during the corporate downsizing in 2003. Since that time I have served in several nonprofit groups. I have been Vice President of the Williamson County Republican Career Women for 2 years and Secretary of the CrimeStoppers of Williamson County for 2 year.

Above - Peter and Susan. I was invited to be a Lion by Lee Kleban-Dabbs after meeting her, Karel-Grace, and Betty while enjoying the Veteran's Day Parade in Franklin. My first post as a lion was to be the tail twister for a year. (And how many times was the answer Clay Aiken related?) Almost immediately, I took a role in the vision screening program. I was recognized as Committee Person of the year for that work 2004-2005. I was Lion of the Year for 2005-2006. Once I got my feet wet, I took over a massive attempt to screen as many as possible in Williamson County and this year that includes both the Williamson County schools and the Franklin Special School District, in addition to the daycares and preschools. I have just recently passed the 2000th child screened by me with the very willing help of many of our members. I have also enjoyed the trips to the School for the Blind and the luncheon for the blind workers at the Ed Lindsey Industries. Everyone should try to see these efforts in action. I've always enjoyed working on our projects - be it the Lions Pride Breakfast, the 4th of July celebration or the welcoming of the soldiers in Franklin. I enjoy seeing everyone every week and miss those that don't show up.

[Back}