Suzanne Bowen Ackert

Suzanne Bowen Williams Ackert glided softly into her next dimension on Friday, October 2, 2026. She was our mother, grandmother, Sweet Mama and friend. Suzanne, an Atlanta girl, was born to Kathleen Gilbert and William Elwood Bowen on July 12, 1941.

As a young woman, Suzanne married Robert W. Williams and their years together gave Suzanne the best miracles of her life: her two daughters, Cyndi Williams McLean and Sharon “Hey” Williams Sturkie.

For a number of years, Suzanne and her family lived in Greenville, S.C., where she raised her daughters, worked for Community Bank, was involved in many volunteer activities and enjoyed spending time with many good friends and neighbors.

In 1986, Suzanne took herself away from all she knew and moved to the city of her dreams—Charleston, S.C. There in 1988 she met Eugene Marshall Ackert, a handsome Michigan man who was an avid golfer, sailor and fisherman. They married and had many exciting adventures together, both on land and on sea. He passed in 2021 leaving a deep, loving, but lonely space in her heart.

Suzanne, in her elder years, made her home in Winston-Salem, N.C. During her time in Winston, she found a home as a member of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship. After years of searching for a spiritual community that fit her needs, she found a diverse congregation, accepting of all, where she was welcomed with love and friendship.

Suzanne lived a full life, although not an easy one. She was a foster child and knew little about her biological family. In 2000 she joined Ancestory.com and began an intense search to find out all she could about her genealogical family. Along the way she was fortunate enough to meet several of her first and second cousins.

As a strong, independent gal with a can-do attitude, her smile and positive disposition made her fun to have around, with her delightful Southern voice recognizable across a crowded room!

“Our young years,” Suzanne often said, “are not of our own making or choosing; however, as we move forward, we can make our own future and enjoy a family of our choice!”

Suzanne is survived by her two daughters, Cyndi McLean (Bill), of Charleston, S.C.; Sharon “Hey” Sturkie (Carter), of Winston-Salem, N.C. She is also survived by her talented, smart and much-loved grandchildren: Harry McLean of Charleston, Elisa Suzanne Sturkie of Chapel Hill, Katie Hill Sturkie of Winston-Salem, and Amelia Sturkie of New York City. Also surviving are her stepson Scot Ackert and his wife Leann of Charlevoix, M.I. and their extended family. In addition, she is survived by her chosen family: her Like-A-Son, Ben Larkin of Atlanta. G.A.; Foster sister Beverly B. Knox of Hermitage, T.N.; Vintage Group Sister Janie Brown Bridges of Simpsonville, S.C.; and her Like-A-Cousin family Curt and Caroline Batten and sons Raike and Hines of Winston-Salem, N.C.

A celebration honoring Sweet Mama (Suzanne) will be held on Sunday, November 15th at Forsyth Country Club, 3101 Country Club Road Winston-Salem, N.C., from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Winston-Salem, 4055 Robinhood Road, Winston-Salem NC 27106.

True to form, this obituary was written by Suzanne herself.