Souad "Susie" Ateyeh Cotran

                Souad “Susie” Ateyeh Cotran, 90, left to be with our Lord on April 13, 2025 after an illness. She “loved everybody” and will be greatly missed, forever celebrated as a mother, mentor and friend.

                Born in Souk El Gharb, Lebanon, Susie was the daughter of Nassif and Angele Ateyeh. She was raised in a loving home by her parents and surrounded through her youthful years by her brothers, Mikel (Ghassan), the late Adnan Ateyeh and sister, Ihssan, as well as many members of an extended family of cousins, uncles and aunts. Susie grew strong in her faith in Jesus Christ and commitment to Christian values because of her family and developed a calling to serve others at an early age. She was well known and leaned on as a wonderful cook, seamstress, knitter and keeper of a pristine household. She loved gardens and planting.

                Susie taught English as a second language to kindergarten students, she enjoyed sports, and learned additional skills by attending brief business courses, prior to her marriage to the late Fouad Kayed Cotran in 1960. They were married for 31 years, prior to his passing. Susie raised her three sons with a fierce devotion and inspired them to be courageous in their new homeland during the family’s transition and move to  America in 1976, at the time of Lebanon’s civil war.

                Susie was instrumental in supporting her husband and children on the journey to create a new home as American citizens, investing their time and energy in a new community with more adventures. She cared for others, and nurtured an interest in the Lebanese heritage by starting a women’s Salaamette Club. Susie loved teaching others Arabic, authentic Lebanese cooking and translating family documents and the Bible. She was a member of St. John’s Church for nearly 50 years. Susie was adored by those who met her and whom she touched with her strong spirit, character and compassion.

                Susie was predeceased by her parents, husband, Fouad and brother, Adnan. She is survived by her sons, Nabil (Noha) of Florence, SC; Kayed and Mazen Cotran of Columbia, SC; her four grandchildren, Alexa, Mazen II, Celine and Alex; her brother, Ghassan “Mikel” Ateyeh of Florence, SC;  sister, Ihssan Ateyeh of Beirut, Lebanon; and a host of nieces and nephews, both at home and abroad who all celebrated her recent milestone of nine decades of a life well lived.

                The funeral will be held at St. John’s Church in Florence on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.; visitation will be held at St John’s on Tuesday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., directed by Waters Powell Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to the St. John’s Endowment Fund, 252 S. Dargan St., Florence, SC  29506.          

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