Susan Annette Spainhoward

Susan Annette (Ligon) Spainhoward, 70, left this world on July 11, 2025, at 1:17 a.m., at St. Anthony’s Hospice in Henderson, Ky., where she had spent so many days of her active life donating food and her time to others who also used these remarkable palliative care services. She was surrounded by her family as she met the Lord she so benevolently served.

Born and raised in Henderson to Hugh Ellis and Patricia Ann (Thompson) Ligon on September 9, 1954, she grew up in a loving Christian home with her parents and brother, Brian Ellis Ligon. This created the foundation of what would become one of the most loving, giving and gracious spirits to ever live.

Married to her high school sweetheart, David Alan Spainhoward in 1972, she began her career, ultimately becoming office manager for Doctors O’Nan, Rashidian, Greenwell and Naderi. It was here she completed the final chapter of her working career and developed some of her dearest friendships. Susan and David grew their special family to include son, Mark Alan Spainhoward, and daughter, Cari Ann (Spainhoward) Chrostowski. Never a working mother, but always a mother who worked, Susan put her children and family first, but all others in need a close second.

Susan had a passion for cooking and shared it generously with her church family, those in bereavement, suffering a sickness or celebrating life’s precious moments. Giving to others was her love language. If you had the ultimate pleasure of knowing Susan, you likely had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of a delicious meal or dessert, a handwritten, mailed greeting card or thoughtful gift. It is this generosity and dedication to public service which earned her the honorary distinction of Kentucky Colonel and Governor’s Citation of Excellence.

Susan could light up a room with her infectious smile, servant heart and beautiful voice, which she shared with so many others through song and worship at Spottsville Missionary Baptist Church where she was an active member for decades. It was in that very church she beamed with pride as her family grew when Mark married his wife, Brandy (Quam) Spainhoward and then blessed her with granddaughters Sydney Marie (Spainhoward) Bowers, husband Isaac, and Bentley Paige Spainhoward. Though the family tree became complete as Cari married her husband Chris Chrostowski and blessed Susan with another granddaughter, Cecilia Ann Chrostowski, her love continued growing and her memory was and will forever be rooted in their hearts.

She will be greatly missed, leaving behind her loving husband, their children, grandchildren and other family and friends. Susan had an incredible impact on those she loved and those to whom she showed compassion through the years, but she will rejoice as she joins her parents and other loved ones once again for eternity in heaven.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with funeral services following at Tomblinson Funeral Home in Henderson.

Services will be officiated by Brothers Paul Davis and Hal Branson beginning at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

Lifelong friends and pallbearers will be Sherri Duckworth, Kim Rone, Georgianna Thornberry, Janet Parrish, Jeanette Roedel and Cindy Spurlock.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spottsville Missionary Baptist Church or St. Anthony’s Hospice, to whom the family offers a special thank you to their employees and volunteers.