Mother Of Love And Theft Singer, Stephen Barker Liles, Has Passed Away

Love and Theft / Facebook

For the past three years, Susie Barker Liles Burchett, the beloved mother of Love and Theft singer Stephen Barker Liles, has been battling ALS.

Since her diagnosis, her son and his bandmate, Eric Gunderson, have been raising awareness of the disease and putting on benefit concerts called Shine for Susie. Performers included Love and Theft, Canaan Smith, Stevie Monce, Florida Georgia Line, Trent Tomlinson, Dan + Shay, Jerrod Niemann, Craig Campbell, Parmalee, Lauren Alaina, Tyler Farr, The Warren Brothers, Charles Esten and many more.

The August 3, 2018 concert alone raised over $60,000 for the fight against ALS.

https://www.facebook.com/shineforsusie/photos/a.154328138504231/260766394527071/?type=3&theater

“The love from the country music and ALS community has been overwhelmingly comforting to me and my family,” said Stephen Barker Liles. “We are so grateful for all artists that have donated their time at our events to help raise awareness for this devastating disease. Her memory will live on in all of our hearts and in our ALS charity forever.”

Sadly, Susie’s physical fight against ALS has ended, as it was just announced via a press release that she unfortunately passed away on Tuesday (Nov. 5).

The press release stated that services for Susie will take place on Monday, November 11 at the First Baptist Church of Clarksville with visitation from 9am-11am and the service directly after.

Susie was a well-known mother figure in the country music world. She often opened up her home during the holidays to musicians and industry folk so no one spent the holidays alone. The loss of Susie is not just a loss for the Barker Liles family, but for country music as a whole.

https://www.facebook.com/shineforsusie/photos/a.154328138504231/260769527860091/?type=3&theater

Susie is survived by her loving husband, Wallace (Wally) Stone Burchett, former husband and father of her five children, Donny Gene Liles; children, Ashley Suzzane Thompson (Scott), Stephen Barker Liles (Jenna), Andrew Jonathan Liles (Angie), Rebekah Ann Liles, Brent Alexander Liles, Wallace (Skip) Stone Burchett II (Amy), Sarah (Sally) Catherine Burchett, Coleman (Cole) Burchett; and grandchildren, Brett Ashley Thompson, Griffin Walker Thompson, Helen Grace Thompson and Quinn Susan Thompson, Jett Barker Liles, Rayni Belle Liles, Aubrey Paige Burchett and Graham James Burchett.

Although Susie’s life may be over, her fight isn’t. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to the Shine for Susie ALS Fund by Hark-ALS, which helps families facing ALS to cover expenses that the government and insurance don’t cover.

You can donate by clicking here.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Susie’s family and friends during this time.