Susan Christian Backer

Susan Christian Backer, age 89, passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at St. Joseph's Bluff in Jefferson City, Missouri. She was born on January 16, 1928, to George Curtis Christian and Mary Elizabeth Clatterbuck Christian in New Bloomfield, Missouri. She graduated from New Bloomfield after attending all 12 years there. She then received an associate degree from Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, Missouri. She married Fred Smith Backer on May 25, 1947, and he preceded her in death on August 26, 1982. They lived their entire married life in the New Bloomfield area. Upon Fred's death, she moved to Fulton. Mrs. Backer was a member of Providence Baptist Church for 80 years where she was active in the Girls' Auxiliary and the Women's Missionary Union. She taught Sunday school for many years and was a member of the choir. She was also a member of the Callaway County Democratic Club, the Fulton Colleges Board of Associates and the New Bloomfield Area Historical Society. Mrs. Backer worked as an office manager for Backer's Potato Chips, a secretary for the Missouri Department of Insurance and the first clerk and office manager of Callaway Water District No. 2 where she served for 22 years before retiring in 1993. She is survived by two sons, Mike (Gracia) Backer of New Bloomfield and Barry (Ann) Backer of Jefferson City; three grandchildren, Justin Backer of New Bloomfield, Brianna Backer of Jefferson City, and Aaron Backer of Sedalia; two step-grandchildren, Jackie Romps of Dover, N.H. and Troy Dane of Olathe, Kan.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Frances Tenny; two brothers, Edward Christian and Waller Christian; and one infant son, Jeffrey Bruce Backer. Visitation and funeral services will be at Debo Funeral Home in Fulton, Mo. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 8 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and funeral services held on Thursday, November 9, at 3:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Callaway Memorial Gardens in Fulton, Mo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Providence Baptist Church Building Fund in care of Debo Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.debofuneralhome.com