Susan Carol Seal Goggans, 72, of Russellville passed from this life to her eternal home Jan. 6.

Susan was born Oct. 7, 1951, to Charles B. “Pie” Seal and Olene May. The second of three children, Susan attended Russellville High School, where she was a varsity cheerleader and an officer for her class. She graduated from RHS in 1969 and went on to attend Northwest Junior College and Florence State Teacher’s College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in English and Art. She later earned her master’s degree in special education from the University of North Alabama.

Susan began her teaching career in 1978. She taught special education at Hamilton City Schools for 12 years before accepting a job at Russellville Middle School in 1990, where she taught until her retirement in 2013.

During her 35 years as an educator, Susan made a difference in the lives of countless students under her care and in the lives of those around her. She will always be remembered for her compassion, her kindness and the love she shared with everyone she met.

Susan was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in Russellville and was active in her church her entire life. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and remained thankful for the friendships she made with her fellow educators over the years. She was a talented seamstress and shared her talents with her family and friends in the form of crocheted baby blankets and scarves, cross-stitched keepsakes and other crafts she made with love. Susan was a Golden Tiger through and through and took great pride in her alma mater and helping plan class reunions and events for the Class of 1969.

But above all, one of her greatest joys was her family, and she was never happier than when she was spending time with them. She was a devoted daughter, a loving mother, a caring grandmother, a beloved sister, a cherished aunt and a precious friend. She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Susan is preceded in death by her father, Charles B. “Pie” Seal; and her daughter-in-law, Donna Mitchell Goggans.

She is survived by her mother, Olene May Seal; her son, Brandon Goggans; her sister, Jan Page (Lee); her brother, Pat Seal (Teresa); her granddaughters, Adriana Herston (Eric) and Dara Coffman (David); her niece, Kellie Singleton (David); her nephew, John Seal (Rachel); her great-nephews, Harrison Singleton, Lee Charles Seal, and Bradford Seal; her step-granddaughter, Vanessa Rantanen and children Zae, Zeven, and Ava; and many cousins and friends.

Services for Susan Goggans include a visitation Jan. 10 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Russellville. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. in the sanctuary with the Rev. George McGuire officiating. The burial will be in Franklin Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Doug Clement, David Coffman, Scott Godsey, Eric Herston, John Seal, David Singleton and Bobby Stanford. Honorary pallbearers are Charles Bentley, David Lupton, Harold Miller and Mickey Seal.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Russellville First Presbyterian Church. Spry Funeral Home is assisting the family.