Wednesday's Woman: Susie Proffitt Abercrombie

When Susie Proffitt Abercrombie reflects on her life, she sees a series of improbabilities.

Despite being raised in a remote area of North Carolina, she was a contestant in the Miss America pageant, worked in New York City in a corporate position for Elizabeth Arden, and currently hosts a TV show in Atlanta.

“The improbability of growing up in such a remote and isolated place and to end up having the careers and life I’ve had...it’s not lost on me. God leads us in ways that we can’t imagine,” Abercrombie said.

When she was only 8 years old, Abercrombie lost her dad to cancer. Her mom remarried several years later moving her family to Black Mountain, N.C., near Asheville, leaving behind the rural, mountainous community that was filled with Proffitts.

“My granddad owned the general store, a feed store, and an egg business. My aunts were all teachers at the rock school house,” Abercrombie recalled. “We were surrounded by family.”

Abercrombie’s mother bought a clothing store in Black Mountain and became a successful business owner, influencing Abercrombie to earn a BS degree in retail and merchandising at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. “I wanted to eventually work for a large retailer,” Abercrombie said.

But, first, she got sidetracked.

Pageant Life

Although she had not participated in pageants growing up, she was approached by the producers of the Miss Ashville pageant. She entered and won the pageant prior to going to college. She came home for appearances and responsibilities, not putting a lot of effort into the state pageant.

Abercrombie did not place in the Miss North Carolina pageant, but she noticed how much of a “big deal it was."

"I prayed that if God would give me another chance, I would do my best," she said. "But if I didn’t have the opportunity, God would take the desire away and put it into something productive."

Abercrombie did get another chance.

“I went with a friend to a pageant and was asked to participate in the Miss Rutherford County pageant," she said. "Following graduation, I moved to Forest City, NC and got a job. I thought it was God answering my prayer."

Abercrombie won the pageant and then began training for the Miss North Carolina pageant with the support of the local Jaycees chapter.

“I spent every weekend training, sort of like training for a marathon,” she said. “I had a goal, and I wanted to do the very best I could. If I didn’t win, I could say that I tried.

"I had a comforting peace about the whole thing. I thought this was what I’m supposed to do. It was my first memory of feeling like I was being given an answer to prayer. It changed my life and was a defining event for me.”

Abercrombie was crowned Miss North Carolina and spent the year traveling throughout the state. She participated in the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City with host Bert Parks crooning “There She Is, Miss Amercia” during the bicentennial year.

Bound for Television

It was there that she became friends with Miss South Carolina, whom she has been very close to for the past 30 years. Then, a pageant judge asked her if she would consider working in televison, so Abercrombie went to California for the opportunity.

“I hated it and came back home,” she said, later going to work for Elizabeth Arden.

She worked in the southeast for six years and was promoted to director of special events based in New York City. In this position, she traveled all over the country and Europe working with major retailers and helping to develop the first makeover computer. A favorite memory involves Karl Lagerfeld, a well-known German fashion designer. Abercrombie traveled to Paris for the launch of a fragrance and went to Lagerfeld’s studio.

“I stood near his desk, and watched him as he accessorized models for a show at the Louvre...I can’t believe I’m standing here,” she recalled, “a little fashion merchandising graduate from North Carolina. How improbable is this."

“One opportunity snowballed and opened more and more doors for me," she added. “It was a gift that I had all those experiences. I always knew I wouldn’t stay there forever. I knew it was something I would experience for a season so I took advantage of every second of it.”

When she was 34, Abercrombie married someone she was introduced to by her friend, Miss South Carolina, and moved to Atlanta. She worked for a French cosmetic and fragrance company and spent another 10 years in the industry.

She helped raise her husband’s three boys – “I was so thankful to have stepsons that I adored” - and prayed for a child for four years, eventually being told that she wouldn’t have children due to health problems.

“And then along came Jack, 20, and five years later, Gracie, 14. To have these two precious kids is amazing, especially when it’s 99 percent likely that you won’t,” she said.

She stopped working after Gracie was born and then after 15 years of marriage went through a divorce. She began selling medical equipment, substitute teaching, and started doing commercials on the side. Five years later, she was asked to audition as the host for a TV show “Atlanta’s Best New Homes TV.”

“That was the biggest improbability,” she said. “To have the chance to do this late in life... It’s another special gift, but one I would have never thought would come along.”

After four years, the producers approached Abercrombie about working full time and helping to produce another show, “Beauty Mark TV.” What they didn't know is that she had 20 years of experience in the cosmetic industry.

"The show was on for a year and gave me an amazing education,” she said. I sold, wrote, produced and hosted it. I learned so much and really grew.” She still works full time for the company producing “Atlanta’s Best New Homes.”

God at Work

Abercrombie’s life verse is Jeremiah 9:23-24, which underscores being humble and giving thanks to God for kindness and righteousness.

“Whatever else God has in store for me down the road, I want to keep that humility and focus on knowing Him and giving Him the credit for it," Abercrombie said. "He orchestrated all of it and I know that and I’m thankful."

Abercrombie says Billy Graham, a fellow North Carolinian, inspires her.

“If I could meet one person, it would be him,” she said. “He’s a real servant of God who has maintained a humble life and a life of integrity. It’s never been about his fame or his glory. That’s the way I want to live my life,” she said.

Her mother-in-law, who died three year ago, was her spiritual mentor. “She quoted scripture in a fun and loving way,” Abercrombie recalled.

And, her mother remains an important inspiration. Left as a widow in her 30s with three children to care for, Abercrombie's mother endured a two-year illness with the "love of her life." Her mother remarried a man that Abercrombie considers a blessing. The family eventually moved, and in her 40s, Ambercrombie's mother opened a clothing store that grew profitable.

Abercrombie, who has lived in Snellville since 2005 and in Gwinnett County since 1995, enjoys being involved in her children’s activities – serving as team mom for her daughter’s ninth-grade cheerleading squad and being involved in church activities.

In addition, she loves Bible study and traveling. She likes to work in her yard and exercise, including long, fast walks. A member of for 12 years, Abercrombie is a past chairman of the church council.

“I remember a day when I was 9 years old, the year after Daddy died," she recalled. "I was so emotionally wrought up. I would come home from school with stomach aches. I missed him and my sister who had gone to college."

“I think God saw this heartbroken kid and said 'I’ll open your life up.' I sure do thank Him for that."