Susan McMillan Booth Keeton

Susan McMillan Booth Keeton, beloved mother, wife, and passionate advocate for Houston’s public spaces, passed away peacefully in Houston on March 11, 2025, at the age of 82. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Susan moved with her family to Houston, a city she would cherish and call home for the rest of her life. She was the daughter of John and Jeanette Booth and part of a large extended family that had migrated from Tennessee to Houston in the late 19th century. Susan attended The Kinkaid School in Houston before spending several years at The Baldwin School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Baldwin in 1959 and then continued her education at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. At Smith, Susan developed lasting friendships that she treasured throughout her life. She graduated from Smith in 1963. After college, Susan returned to Houston, where she met her future husband, Richard Page Keeton. Together, they formed a dynamic partnership—quick-witted and deeply engaged with current events. Their shared commitment to the city of Houston led them to become active members of local civic and business circles. Susan’s lifelong love for gardening began early, with fond memories of caring for houseplants in her first apartment. This passion grew into a deep commitment to beautifying Houston’s public green spaces. She volunteered with the River Oaks Garden Club, where her work at Bayou Bend Gardens ignited her dedication to historic landscape preservation. As a board member of The Cultural Landscape Foundation in Washington, D.C., Susan became a respected expert in historic landscapes, collaborating with her dear friend, architectural historian Stephen Fox, to support his books on Houston architects John Staub and Birdsall Briscoe. Susan left a lasting mark on Houston’s green spaces through her work with Hermann Park and Buffalo Bayou Partnership. An early member of Friends of Hermann Park (which later became the Hermann Park Conservancy), she played a pivotal role in the park’s master restoration plan. She worked closely with city officials and volunteers to design a plan that honored the park’s historical significance while meeting the needs of a growing city. In the late nineties, Susan joined the Board of Buffalo Bayou Partnership and served as Board Chair for several years. She was instrumental in the development of a revitalized master plan for Buffalo Bayou Park and led efforts to restore the historic Sunset Coffee Building at Allen’s Landing. Despite her many volunteer commitments, Susan always prioritized her family. She frequently traveled to spend extended time with her three children and cherished every opportunity to visit her grandchildren. Her children were the greatest beneficiaries of her love, devotion, and generosity. Susan was preceded in death by her parents, John and Jeanette Booth, and her husband, Richard P. Keeton. She is survived by her daughter, Emily Keeton; her daughter, Laura Keeton McVey, and her husband Henry McVey, along with their children Nelle and Hank McVey; and her son John P. Keeton, and his son William Keeton. The family is deeply grateful for the loving care and attention Susan received from her compassionate caregivers, Kathy Bellard, Debbie Ishmel, and Carol Latigue. A memorial service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral at 12:00 PM on April 8, 2025. There will be a reception immediately following at Sanders Hall at Christ Church Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Buffalo Bayou Partnership.