Mrs. Linda Suzanne Waller

Suzanne Holland Waller was born May 4, 1949, to Sue Locke Holland and Wasson Holland in Lake City, Arkansas. Suzanne was raised in a family that values education and excellence. She became valedictorian of her Lake City high school class of 1967. Suzanne was a trailblazer for women in her educational pursuits and in her career. At Harding University, Suzanne was one of the first women to graduate magna cum laude with an accounting degree in 1971. It was at Harding that Suzanne met and married Rodney Waller, her spouse of 52 years. Suzanne and Rodney received recognition for being the first married couple in the nation to sit for and pass all four parts of the CPA exam on the first try at the same time. Both were on Hardings 1970 Michigan State University American Marketing championship business team, who retired the competition’s rotating trophy by winning the competition three times in competition with major national universities.

Suzanne entered the workforce at a time that was unwelcoming to women. At the time, Suzanne was the first woman hired by her public accounting firm, and they first called their clients to ask permission for her to join the audit team at the client site. When Suzanne and Rodney’s first child, David Jeffrey Waller was born, in true accountant fashion, he arrived on April 15, Tax Day but a month early. They also welcomed Lynsay LeighAnne Waller Brautnick and Whitney Paige Waller Bielefeld. Suzanne became a stay-at-home mother to her three children and was devoted to the care of her family. When her children were older, Suzanne opened an upscale doll and toy store named A Child at Heart, which specialized in Madame Alexander dolls and Steiff stuffed animals. The store became very successful and was the third largest dealer of Madame Alexander dolls in the US. Outside of the store, Suzanne and Rodney were avid collectors of dolls and toys for over 45 years. Their home at Christmas was always decorated in a “Babes in Toyland” fashion.

Suzanne and Rodney have attended North Davis Church of Christ for 48 years. Suzanne served in countless ways at church and was particularly known for the scholarly curriculum she wrote for the weekly Ladies’ Bible study for 12 years. The curriculum is still used today, in addition to her volunteer efforts at church, Suzanne served on the board of trustees at Harding University for 13 years from 2003 to 2016 when she left due to health reasons. She was instrumental in advocating for women in the Christian educational community.

While Suzanne loved her family and children, she truly delighted in being “Nana” to her six beloved grandchildren, Hayley Waller, Colton Waller, Emma Waller, Paige Bielefeld, Locke Bielefeld, and Laurel Brautnick. She thoroughly enjoyed reading and playing games with them.

Suzanne’s loving family finds comfort in knowing she now is back to a whole person in the arms of Jesus.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to Hearts and Hands Ministry or the Waller Scholarship Fund at Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas.

There will be a visitation held on Thursday, March 14, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Wade Family Funeral Home in Arlington. A Funeral Service will be held Friday, March 15, 2024, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at North Davis Church of Christ, 1601 North Davis in Arlington. There will be a Graveside Service Friday, March 15, 2024, 12:00 pm at Shannon Rose Hill in Fort Worth.