Name: Susie Mobley
Family: My family includes my children: my late son Curry Cross, my son John Mobley Cross and his wife Amelia, and my daughter Annie who is a senior at UGA.
Hometown: Moultrie, Georgia
Current Town: Athens, Georgia
What Years at UGA: 1984-1988
School/Degree: BS in Human Resources Management
Profession: Founder of SUSU CO, a lifestyle, jewelry, and home goods brand, inspired by my love for Florence. I curate handmade treasures from master artisans so you can bring a little Italian beauty and timeless design into your everyday life.
Book: Books have a way of waking us up. Under The Tuscan Sun (1), Eat Pray Love, Dance of the Dissident Daughter and Untamed did just that. They gave me the courage to see myself differently – independent, brave, adventurous and willing to step outside the traditional roles I once thought I had to stay in.
Magazine: House Beautiful, The Bitter Southerner, Garden & Gun, and Veranda.
Podcast: I love podcasts. I seem to always have my airpods on and listening to one. Some of my favorites: Good Hang, How I Built This, Wiser Than Me, Kelly Corrigan Wonders are a few.
Instagram: Ramsay/Nye(2), The English Room, Hello Sunshine
Brand: TIBI, Dries Van Noten, Rachel Comey, Liviana Conti, Bottega Veneta (3) — and of course anything Italian!
Fashion designer: A Fellow UGA Alum, Amy Smilovic of Tibi.Her brand captures everything I want and need at this stage of life: effortless comfort paired with creative expression. Each piece is versatile enough to carry me through any setting—whether I’m in Athens, Georgia, walking the streets of New York City, or soaking in the beauty of Florence, Italy. No matter where I am, I feel entirely myself in her designs—and that’s a powerful thing.
Interior designer: Tami Ramsay of RAMSAY/NYE. One of my dearest friends—and also one of the most talented designers I know. We’ve worked together for years, and her creativity continues to inspire me. Tami is truly a force in design, and I feel lucky to collaborate with her. Also, Kit Kemp! I absolutely adore the work of British designer Kit Kemp. Her hotel designs are some of my all-time favorites—full of personality, color, and a unique sense of whimsy that always makes me smile.
Chef: Peter Dale of Five & Ten is not only an incredible chef but also one of the kindest people I know. Born and raised in Athens, he continues to give back to this community with generosity and intention, sharing his talents in meaningful ways. His Southern antipasto is like a culinary expression of what SUSU Co., Italy seen through the lens of the south. I still dream of the boiled peanut hummus!
Historical figure: Eleanor Roosevelt, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett (5). I love to laugh! And these are all very strong women.
Describe Athens in five words or less: Creative, energetic, fun and home!
Restaurants and bars: Athens – ZZ & Simones, Five & Ten, Bar Bruno, The Pine. I live in Five Points and walk to each of these often. I travel often to Florence, Italy and here are some favorites – Trattoria Camillo, Tamerò (best pizza), Alla Vecchia Bettola.
Shops: NEST is a new gift shop I really love. As well as the Athens Farmer’s Market on Saturdays! Fresh flowers are a treat I love to give myself often.
Athens/campus landmark: North Campus
Memory while in school: Most definitely my time as a THETA. The relationships I built during those years continue today. When this group gets together we still share the same stories from all those years ago!!! And they are still funny!
Gameday ritual/plan: Athens Tailgate started by Jimbo LaBoon. I have been a part of this fantastic group for about 30 years. We all raised our kids together and now our grown children come to the tailgate when in town. And our age group UGA friends always stop by. Great memories!
Tailgate Recipe: Definitely my mother’s pimento cheese! I make it for every home game for as long as I can remember!!! As for a recipe, it’s a pinch of this and a dash of that, but of course one thing it always has is Duke’s mayonnaise. If you know you know!