Remembering Susan Anderson, a beloved Gulf Coast soul

John Mullen • December 1, 2023

Community mourns loss of cherished local server

Susan Anderson, center, at a fundraiser she helped organize for a co-worker whose husband had passed

Editor’s note: John Mullen has been reporting on the Alabama Gulf Coast and its people since 2010. In this column, he remembers one of those people who became a lifelong friend.


Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – I first met Susan Anderson in 2010 when I moved to the beach full-time. For the first three months, I was down here by myself as my wife stayed behind in North Alabama to complete the sale of our house there.

 

After work and nobody at home, I’d find myself sitting at the bar at Doc’s Seafood Shack and Oyster Bar on Canal Road during shift change around 3-4 p.m. I met many people who worked there who have become lifelong friends.

 

Susan is one of those.

 

While most of her serving career at the beach was at Doc’s – more than 16 years’ worth – she worked at De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen after leaving Doc’s in August 2020.

 

Susan, 54, died on Nov. 28 at home in her sleep. A memorial service is not planned, a family friend is covering the cost of cremation and employees at De Soto’s and beloved customers are collecting money to help with other expenses. She is survived by daughter Kasey Anderson, son Robby Graham and two grandchildren.

 

Doc’s owner Richard Schwartz likes to call his employees at the iconic seafood shack the Doc’s family. There are several families that had multiple relatives working for Doc’s and that’s true still today.

 

“She was one of those great people who helped Doc's become successful,” Schwartz said. “She knew her customers. They came in looking for her. Susan understood what customer service was. I tell people that the success of Doc's is good food, great people who were glad to come to work every day with the 'glad-to-be-here' attitude. Susan Anderson will be missed.”

 

Rosemary Steele of the equally iconic De Soto’s said those traits carried over when she started working there bringing daughter Kasey, also a Doc’s alum, with her.

 

“She was loved by many and will be missed,” Steele said. “She always looked out for all of us making sure we had eaten or had a Gatorade when we were busy. She baked us the best snacks when we were slow. She made sure we saw the beautiful sunsets. Just last week she was in the kitchen baking because we had a slow night.”

 

Her longtime manager at Doc’s Cindy Eccleston and now a company vice president said she gave Susan and fellow longtime server Jena Hawsey the tough tasks.

 

“When I managed, she was one of my favorite servers,” Eccleston said. “I put her or Jena on my biggest or hard-to-please tables and they always went away happy. Susan was always kind to her customers and got them anything they wanted. She showed up ready to work every shift.”

 

Hawsey and Susan were running mates on many a night when Doc’s was slammed during the height of the tourist season.

 

“She was one of the hardest workers you'd ever meet and always there when you needed help,” Hawsey said. “Her customers were her friends, and she never forgot a face. As a person, Susan was a great mom and the most incredible mawmaw I have ever seen. Susan was the type of friend that no matter the space or time, you could pick up where you left off and never miss a beat. I will miss her tremendously.” 

 

The first time I met Susan there was a sign behind the bar that advertised a beer bargain but it ended after 5 p.m. and it was later than 5 and she good-naturedly reminded me of that. Right next to the sign was a clock stopped at 5 with a sign that read “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.”

 

“According to that clock, it’s 5 o’clock now,” I told her.

 

“I guess it is, baby,” she laughed. “Let me get you one of those bargain beers.” 

 

That put us on the road to being lifelong friends and I have many others who worked or still work at Doc’s.

 

When Susan met my wife for the first time, she hugged her like a family member because Susan considered us family and she was our family, too. During blackberry season, she’d share her great cobbler and I’d send her and Kasey some of my wife’s strawberry-filled, buttercream-icing cupcakes around Christmas.

 

Though my friend worked for two of the most iconic restaurants on the Alabama Gulf Coast, she, too, was an icon at the beach to the many customers she came to love as her family.

 

And they loved her right back.

Susan with her grandson

Share this article w/ Friends...

Baldwin County Housing Market Shows Mixed Trends in June
By OBA Staff July 11, 2025
Robertsdale, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County’s housing market in June 2025 showed lower average home prices but strong buyer activity, according to the latest report from Baldwin REALTORS Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The data reveals that both traditional residential and resort markets experienced a decline in average
Gulf Shores Marching Band
By OBA Staff July 11, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores High School is celebrating a significant boost for its band program. The school has been selected to receive a donation from the Morgan Wallen Foundation Music Education Grant. This grant brings $38,920 worth of new percussion instruments to the school, including marimbas...
Gulf Shores Police Cruiser
By OBA Staff July 10, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores residents are being warned about a phone scam involving callers who pretend to be police officers. The Gulf Shores Police Department says it has received several reports from people who were contacted by someone claiming to be a department member.
Gulf Shores International Airport
By OBA Staff July 10, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores International Airport is preparing for the future as it considers expanding its terminal and welcomes a new dining partner. The airport, located just three miles from the white sand beaches of Alabama, is already seeing growth since launching its first scheduled airline service.
Blue Angels
By R. Ken Cooper July 10, 2025
Pensacola Beach, Fla. — (OBA) — Blue Angels jets soar above Pensacola Beach during a past air show, attracting tens of thousands of spectators to the shoreline. Pensacola’s hometown U.S. Navy Blue Angels will once again roar over Pensacola Beach this weekend, headlining the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show...
Foley’s 1941 Navy N3N biplane will take part in the Veterans Flight this weekend in Pensacola.
By OBA Staff July 10, 2025
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley’s vintage Navy biplane will fly in this weekend’s Veterans Flight event in Pensacola, marking a historic first for the city and its aircraft. The bright yellow 1941 Navy N3N biplane, now based in Foley, will join a fleet of vintage military planes taking veterans of World War II, Korea...
Yondr Pouch
By OBA Staff July 9, 2025
Robertsdale, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County public schools are getting ready for a major change in the 2025-2026 school year. Starting in August, students will face new rules about cell phone use during the school day. The changes come after Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed the FOCUS Act into law earlier this year.
Foley City Hall
By OBA Staff July 9, 2025
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Foley, in partnership with Allen Engineering, is inviting members of the public to participate in an upcoming engagement meeting focused on the Bon Secour Stormwater Management Plan. This meeting is specifically aimed at individuals who live or work within the Bon Secour Watershed.
Stock Photo — School Lunch
By OBA Staff July 8, 2025
Robertsdale, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County Public Schools announced that all students will receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2025-2026 school year. The district will continue its participation in the Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP, under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
Orange Beach Golf Center Demo Day
By R. Ken Cooper July 8, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Golfers in the Orange Beach area have a unique opportunity to improve their game this summer. The Orange Beach Golf Center is inviting players of all skill levels to its Demo Day event. The event provides a hands-on experience with the newest golf technology.
Show More