The Richmond News, Jan. 23, 2026

Susan Bartlett

Susan Edna Bartlett, 68, of Higginsville passed away Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, at Lafayette Regional Health Center in Lexington. Susan was born Nov. 18, 1957, in Marshall, the daughter of Glen Bell and Joyce Allen (Briggs) Solomon. Survivors include her sister, Patty Solomon of Richmond; brother, Glen (Carol) Solomon of Hamilton; niece, Sara (Richard) Vaughn of Clinton; and nephew, Derek (Dawn) Goring of Lenexa, Kan. Several great-nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Paul Goring.

Susan was a 1976 graduate of Richmond High School, where she was active in Future Homemakers of America and was a proud member of the National Honor Society. Following high school, she pursued her interest in fashion and design, becoming a trained professional model through the Barbizon Monza School of Modeling in Kansas City.

She continued her education at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, earning an Associate of Arts degree in business.

On June 7, 1980, Susan was united in marriage to Bruce L. Bartlett Jr. Together, they made their home in Tennessee; Kansas; Columbia, Mo.; and Michigan. Their marriage later ended in divorce.

Susan furthered her education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, graduating cum laude in August 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics/ business, with an emphasis in fashion merchandising. She was honored with membership in the Kappa Omicron Phi Honor Society.

Her professional life included serving as arts and crafts director at the Ray County Fellowship Center, as well as working as a retail sales clerk and an assistant manager. She also shared her talents as an instructor in hair and makeup at Barbizon Monza while participating in fashion shows and photography classes.

Creativity was at the heart of Susan’s life. She had a deep love for fashion, painting, macramé, makeup, design and color. She found great joy in making birthdays, holidays and special occasions memorable, whether through her baking and cooking or by finding the perfect gift, especially a cherished Hallmark ornament.

An avid world traveler, Susan explored the Orient, the Middle East, Europe, the Caribbean and many other fascinating destinations. She also had a great love for animals, particularly horses; cats; her rabbit, Whoze; and her beloved miniature Schnauzer, Fred.

Susan was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Higginsville. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age after answering the call to go forward at a Billy Graham Crusade in Kansas City.

She will be remembered for her kindness, thoughtfulness, outgoing personality and quick smile. Even though, for years, Susan suffered from many afflictions, she was independent and resilient in life and maintained a heart of gold.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Friends of the Friendless Animal Rescue in Lexington. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home; 507 E. Main St.-P.O. Box 190; Richmond, MO 64085.

Funeral services were scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Visitation was to be held 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the funeral home. Burial was to follow the services at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Fairview Cemetery in Sweet Springs.

Please share your memories of Susan with the family at www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.