LaJuana Sue (Wilson) Bannister

LaJuana "Sue" Bannister went to her forever home, peacefully on September 2, 2023. Sue was born on February 9, 1938 in Teague Texas to Walter and Agnes Wilson. She was the middle child of 3 children. When she was 3 yrs old Walter moved the family to California, she was around faced girl with curly hair that her mom would style in ringlettes and when they would go out she would often be mistaken for Shirley Temple. When they moved back to Texas later, they lived in Irving where she attended school and was a cheerleader. At 13 she met the love of her life Donn Bannister who was older than her and had finished school early. In 1953 they married and had 2 children, Nella born in 1954 and Jim born in 1961. Sue was a hairdresser which helped supplement income to travel and school activities. They loved to vacation with best friends Don and Thalia Holt and Family but her fondest memories wore of the times when Donn and Sue traveled the back highways of Texas and New Mexico. In the late 60's Donn and Sue started raising horses which eventually led to horse racing, they had 3 or 4 horses that they would birth, train and race with a winner from time to time. But they lived in Hurst at the time and had to board and pasture their horses offsite always dreaming of owning their own ranch to board their horses. In 1995 Donn retired and they bought their  6-acre dream ranch in Alvarado where they had horses, donkeys, chickens ducks, cats and dogs. in 1998 Donn got sick and passed away, Sue worked hard to keep the Ranch and she did all of the yardwork and animal feedings she was very head strong and determined. She was the life of the party and even got the nickname"Bubbles" at the VFW. In 2016 she started having some memory issues and was diagnosed with dementia, she stayed in her home as long as she could and then moved in with her daughter Nella and Husband Tim. In 2017 she moved into Heritage Place Assisted Living in Burleson and later moved into the Memory Care. Her caregivers said she was happy, sweet and sometimes very funny, she fought a long battle with Alzheimers and passed away on September  2, 2023 at 85 years old.

Sue is preceded in death by her husband Donn Bannister, parents Walter and Agnes Wilson, Brother Bill Wilson and Sister Linda Ratliff.

Sue is survived by her devoted daughter, Nella Wardlaw and husband Tim, her son, Jim Bannister and wife Nancy.

Grandchildren: Jay Rogers and wife Kelly, Erin and Husband Adam Savoies and Carly Bannister.

Great grandchildren: Deacon Rogers,  Ruby Rogers, Ben Savoies and Anna Savoies.

She will be missed terribly by those who loved her and her memory will be forever in our hearts.

But we can take comfort in knowing that Sue and Donn are "on the road again"  together, Forever!

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