Superhero Susie: Team Susie holds party for VZC Library Director

Photo by Britne Hammons
Friends, family and the VZC Library Advisory Board and Friends of the Library threw VZC Library Director Susie Pulley a surprise party Nov. 29.

Decked out in hot pink T-shirts with “Team Susie,” emblazoned on the front, friends and family of Van Zandt County Library Director Susie Pulley came together to throw a surprise party at the VZC Library Nov. 29.

Mrs. Pulley has been fighting cancer for 18 months and is currently undergoing treatment. Even with the obstacles that fighting cancer throws in front of a person, Mrs. Pulley still has a bright, positive outlook on life and a smile for whomever needs it.  Her daughter, Stacy Pulley, wrote a speech that VZC Library Board President Richard Briley read to those in attendance.

“Susie Pulley is a superhero. To many, her superhero attributes most clearly shine in relation to her job as the director of the Van Zandt County Library. Since her time as director, the county library has undergone a complete transformation. Under her direction, the library has a completely new interior … she has added many computers to the library, provided technology and computer classes, added two 3D printers, provided free WIFI and has expanded the audio and video section of the library. She has written for multiple grants, raised thousands of dollars and supervised hundreds of volunteers that keep the library afloat and on a tight budget.”

Mrs. Pulley was praised for creating a place of “acceptance, where anyone, no matter their education, social status, age, weight or gender is welcome to come and spend time learning, researching and communicating at the VZC Library.”

Mrs. Pulley commented that she was “speechless, and so overwhelmed with emotion at the love and kinds words that were spoken. Being the VZC Library Director has been an honor and I do not deserve all of the praise.”

Her husband, David Pulley, remarked that “fighting cancer takes all of us.”

“Whenever someone sees me, they ask about Susie’s well-being. And she knows a lot of people!  Fighting cancer takes all of us, and we are grateful for all the support we have received.”

The party was catered by Buttermilk’s featuring chicken salad sandwiches, chips and a dessert.

Those attending the event were Kristi Risner, Ed Randolph, Sarah Norman, Suezette Branton, Sandra Giles,  Bille Jean Cole, Beth Muse, Cindy Rakestraw, Abigail Muse, Traci Ruark, Brenda Fuller, Tonja Garten, Kelly Hopkins, Ed Rakestraw, Mary Brooks, Linda Goodrich, Brenda Lemen, Steve Goodrich, Sandra Briley, Richard Briley, David Pulley, Stacy Pulley, Rhonda Adams and Lou Ann Everett.