Susan Lynn Hendricks

Susan Dempsey Hendricks, age 60, passed away in Odessa on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

She was born on May 27th, 1963, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was raised by Dr. Edwin and Jerry Dempsey of Odessa. She attended Permian High School and Odessa College, so she could pursue her career in nursing. After working for her father, who was a well-respected pediatrician for many years, she went on to work for numerous doctors around the area and was instrumental in recruiting many high-profile doctors to the Permian Basin. Later she went on to create her own PR and marketing firm for multiple medical professionals in the region. Susan married the love of her life, Jay Hendricks on November 5th, 1983. They shared an amazing life together in Odessa raising two children, Brooke and Brady. She was a consummate volunteer, serving on countless boards, and with her local chapter of the Junior League for many years where she made numerous lifelong friends. She was blessed to have a tight-knit group of friends, referring to themselves as “Ooh-La’s” who were as close as family. She was a prolific shopper, an artist, a writer, a loyal and snarky friend, dachshund lover and was always willing to provide medical advice to anyone who asked. It brought her much joy to pick out the perfect gift for everyone and to create gift baskets for special occasions. In recent years, she enjoyed spending as much time as possible with and spoiling her grandson, Gavyn and her dog Lily.

 She was preceded in death by her father, Edwin B. Dempsey MD.

She is survived by her mother, Jerry Dempsey of Odessa; her husband of 40 years, Jay Hendricks of Odessa; her son, Brady Hendricks of Bedford; her daughter, Brooke Hendricks of Odessa; grandson, Gavyn Green of Odessa; sister, Shelley Rash Burger of Odessa; niece, Heidi and her husband Clayton Winkler and their children Elliott and Taylor Rose of Midland; nephew, Trent Burger and his fiancé Kelby of Granbury; cousins, Chris and her husband Jeff Laufer of Midland, Diane and her husband Tom Warner of Florida; many second cousins, and a large list of friends that are considered family.

 In lieu of flowers the family requests that a donation be made in her honor to Doctors Without Borders, The Bridge Church of Odessa, the Arthritis National Research Foundation, or any charity of your choice. A special thank you to The Bridge, Medical Center Hospital, and the outpouring of love from friends and family for all of their wonderful assistance in helping her family navigate these tough times.

One Cloudy Day 

  I once lay alone on a soft grassy mound  

     I looked to the sky, not making a sound.   

I noticed the clouds large, fluffy and white  

hanging high in the air, blocking almost all light.  

 How boring, how dreary, I thought quite nonplussed.  

 These clouds are not special, so why all the fuss?   

My friend just told me they give a great show  

but all I was seeing was the sky with me here below.   

Hey, God!  I exclaimed neither with thought nor with shame  

Is this the best you can do?  Why, I think it's quite lame.   

How boring.  How silly.  How stupid am I  

To lay here alone and look at the sky.   

As soon as the words I spoke left my mouth  

Did a great gust of wind blow in from the South  

As I watched in amazement the clouds took on shape,  

I laid there unmoving, my mouth wide agape.   

A few moments more and the gusts turned to breeze  

What I saw next brought me up to my knees.   

For above me now, looking as solid as rock 

A cross in the clouds took shape to my shock.   

I ran all the way home to share what I'd seen.   

Was it glory to God, or simply a dream?   

I closed my eyes and gave it more thought  

And it occurred to me a lesson had been taught.   

God gives us the tools to see what we want  

A boring white shape, or a symbol to haunt  

To remind me that He is always close by  

All I need to do is just look to the sky.