It is with profound sadness that we, the family of Susan Davis Feller, announce the end of her journey here on earth.

She passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of June 18, 2026, less than 2 weeks after being diagnosed with metastatic cancer, complicated by strokes.

Susan's life was a life fully lived, and she will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched and influenced. Her strength, determination, and independent nature kept her engaged and productive, and we have been fortunate to share in her adventurous life, not only through the stories, gifts, and pictures she shared with us, but also through the many experiences we enjoyed alongside her.  Almost all our family gatherings centered around the words "when will Aunt Susie get here". She would arrive with a car filled with food and flowers, and her dogs.

Susan has expressed her preference for "no embalming, no funeral". She would prefer those who wish to honor her memory do something they enjoy…remembering her while doing it. Her exact words were "have a party".

Susan was preceded in death by her father, Fuzzy Davis (Howard Davis, Sr.), mother, Dolly Davis Tate, stepfather, Billy Earl Tate, and brother Howard Wynn Davis, Jr.

Susan is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Dian and Gary Johnson; nephew Brian Johnson, and wife Julie; niece Lacrecia Johnson, and husband Brian Gibbons; great nieces and great nephews, Dalton Smith, Austin Johnson, Cheyenne Johnson, Cierra Johnson and Grayson Gibbons.  She is also survived by numerous extended family members and treasured friends, as well as by her dogs, Rocky and Maya (shared with Austin Johnson).

Susan graduated from Ft. Towson High School and attended Swink School through eighth grade. She was an avid reader and knowledgeable on many subjects.  Among other positions held during her lifetime, she was the Executive Director of the Inland Empire Symphony in Redlands, California; Development Officer of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries; and the position held at her death, President and CEO of the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums (ATALM) a nonprofit organization she founded.

Susan was not one to seek recognition, but she was a truly impressive individual, worthy of love, honor and respect. She has quietly influenced the preservation of Native American history, artifacts, and culture, a cause dear to her heart, through the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums.

Please take a few minutes to learn about her involvement with ATALM below. We believe you will be amazed, as we are.

Susan Feller

President/CEO, Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums

Susan Feller was the founding President/CEO of the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums where she directed its national professional development programs, special projects, and advocacy efforts. Susan served on numerous national committees and commissions and advised government agencies and Congressional members on matters relating to indigenous cultural institutions.

Susan's more current projects included directing the "Going Home Project", a Mellon Foundation funded project to help Native communities implement the return of non-NAGPRA items, the "Native Arts & Cultures Project", a Ford Foundation funded project to build local support for Native artists and culture bearers, the "Archive of Recorded Native American History", a Doris Duke Foundation funded effort to digitally repatriate recordings held by non-tribal institutions, the "Improving Broadband Access and Digital Inclusion in Native Communities Project", an Institute of Museum and Library Services effort to build model Maker Spaces and technology labs tailored to the needs of Native communities, the "Culture Builds Communities Project", an IMLS-funded effort to provide training and resources to Native communities seeking to build cultural facilities, the "Sustaining Humanities in Native Communities Grant Program" a $4.3 million regrant project with the National Endowment of the Humanities, and the International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums that annually attracts more than 1,500 attendees.

Susan also worked with the White House International Repatriation Council on an initiative to build bridges between USA-based tribes and international collecting institutions. She recently completed "Sustaining and Advancing Indigenous Cultures," a three-year study of the needs of cultural institutions and was working with a national advisory group to implement identified action items.