Suzanne Stanford Maloan

A deep faithfulness, unfailing patience and ready laugh were hallmarks of a life lived beautifully by Suzanne Stanford Maloan, who died peacefully at her Shawnee, OK, home in the presence of her family April 19, 2024. 

She was born May 5, 1939, in Dallas, TX, to Sue Elizabeth (Wiggins) Stanford and William “Bill” T. Stanford, Jr. Suzanne and her younger brothers Britton L. Stanford and James T. Stanford grew up in Dallas, TX, among a close-knit extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Suzanne and her family were active members of Park Cities Baptist Church, worshiping and serving there for decades. As teens, she and her brothers spent summers working for their father in his successful building design business, where she especially enjoyed drafting home construction plans. She graduated from Hillcrest High School, Dallas, TX, then attended Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, and later Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dallas, TX. 

While at SMU, she met and fell in love with SMU graduate Walter Thomas “Tom” Maloan also of Dallas, TX. The two found an immediate connection through their sharp intellect, shared sense of humor and dedication to their families. It is fitting that their loving and playful 29-year marriage began with him tricking her into proposing! Fortunately, he said yes, and Tom and Suzanne were married at Park Cities Baptist Church on Sept. 30, 1960. 

The young couple followed Tom’s banking career to South Texas where they welcomed their first child Michael Thomas Maloan in Corpus Christi, TX, and then moved to New Orleans, LA, where their daughter Kathryn (Maloan) Thomas was born. The family went on to make homes and lasting friendships in Little Rock, AR, and Nashville, TN, before finally settling in Shawnee, OK, in 1981. She and Tom were enthusiastic parents, co-leading the PTA, attending their children’s church and school events, and traveling often to visit grandparents on school breaks. Suzanne was a deeply devoted and loving mother, committed to rearing her children in the Christian faith, joyfully offering tender guidance and faithful support throughout their lives. 

Professionally, Suzanne worked in various roles, usually in the field of education. She brought warmth and skill to her administrative work in the Belmont University International School in Nashville, TN, where she relished learning about students’ home countries and cultures. 

A dedicated member of Family of Faith Church in Shawnee, OK, Suzanne was a kindergarten and elementary school teacher in the Family of Faith Christian School for 18 years until her retirement. She taught hundreds of children to read, write, think, learn and to love Christ. In many instances, she taught more than one generation of a single family. Her work, worship, service and friendships at Family of Faith brought her great joy, comfort and satisfaction. 

Among her family members, Suzanne was known as a wise, generous and loving woman – a caregiver to the sick, a constant pray-er for each of her loved ones and a selfless encourager no matter the circumstances. Her most treasured role was that of grandmother to her five grandchildren with whom she cultivated close and meaningful relationships. Grammy could be relied upon to comfort, celebrate and nurture each one as a beloved individual.

Suzanne was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, her parents, and her brother Brit, of Houston, TX.

She is survived by her brother James Stanford of the home, her son Mike and his wife Yvonne (LeBlanc) Maloan of Norman, OK, her daughter Kathryn Maloan Thomas and her husband Justin Thomas of Oklahoma City, OK, and her grandchildren Thomas, Katie, and Caroline Maloan, and Lauren and Wally Thomas. Suzanne is survived also by many beloved cousins, including Suzanne (Thompson) Ramirez, Tulsa, OK, and Michael Thompson, Austin, TX.