Susan Kay Fluharty, age 71, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2022 in Warrensburg, MO.

Susan was born the second of twins in Girard, KS on July 11, 1950. While growing up, she lived in Pittsburg, KS; Bentonville, AK; Leonardville, KS; and Warrensburg, MO.

After moving to Warrensburg, Susan attended the Laboratory Elementary School on the campus of Central Missouri State College, then going on to high school at College High. After graduating from high school, she continued her education, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. She became interested in special needs children and went back to college for her Master's. She taught for 32 years in Missouri, with the longest being at Holden Elementary, in Holden Mo. Her last teaching position was at the Johnson County Christian Academy.

During her summers, she would work in summer camps in the St. Louis, MO area for the under privileged. In later years Susan also gave up her summers to work with her nephew, who had learning problems (hence her interest in special needs children).

She was always a very giving person, to include her twin, who moved in with her and lived with her for over 50 years.

Susan found out she had MD (muscular dystrophy) while still teaching. She set an example for all of her special needs children, as for awhile she needed a wheelchair. She never let the disease get her down. While the other kids were out at recess, she would let her wheelchair bound kids have races up and down the school halls! She has been an inspiration to so many and considered herself one of "Jerry's Kids."

She was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. Susan even inspired her "sisters," even years after out of school to participate in charity events involving MD.

Susan loved animals and usually had pets of varying kinds to include her class rooms. The first pet she had was a baby raccoon she adopted while still in college. The raccoon lived in the dorm and could be seen riding around in a bicycle basket attached to the front bars on her bike. She was an advocate for any living thing and used them to teach to anyone who was interested in finding out more. She finally, after nursing the raccoon back to health took him to a rescue place where he could be gradually be taught to live in the wild.

Susan is survived by her three siblings Lynda Straith, her twin Sandy Fluharty, and Thomas Fluharty as well as a "daughter of the heart," Lyndsi Straith-Fluharty.

She was preceded in death by both parents: Leonard Eugene Fluharty and Maxine Eloise (Woodward) Fluharty.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg, MO.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Missouri Retired Teachers Association (MRTA) and may be left in the care of the funeral home.