Suzanne Kay Terry Walpole, beloved mother, grandmother, friend, aunt, cousin, and inspiration passed away peacefully on September 24, 2024, surrounded by her family at home after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Hodge, Louisiana, on February 14, 1942, she graduated from Jonesboro-Hodge High School and then continued her education at Louisiana Tech University, where she obtained a degree in English Education.

A life-long educator, she began and ended her career in Jackson Parish. She first taught at Chatham High School, but moved to Rundell Junior High and Jonesboro-Hodge Junior High, where she found her niche in the middle school setting. Suzanne taught 7th grade English for over 25 years and had an innate ability to maintain discipline in her classroom, while still connecting to each of her students on a personal level. She truly loved teaching, and her students loved her. Years after retirement, she could still remember all of her students, and they all remembered her. Whenever she saw a former student, she greeted that student by name (and maybe by first and middle names!), followed by a hug, and the inevitable, “how are you, sugar?” To know her was to love her, and she was always ready to impart advice.

Suzanne was never one to stay still for long and didn’t allow anyone else in presence to either—often awakening her daughter and friends as teenagers with the exhortation to get up (no later than 9:00 a.m.) because they were sleeping their lives away! Shopping trips were all-out marathons, stopping in the afternoon for a real Coke, and then going again until the stores closed.

Her hobbies were many. From a young age, Suzanne loved to fish and garden and spent happy years at her sunny yellow house on Caney Lake doing both. She knew every nursery in north Louisiana, could always identify a plant, and knew its proper care and preferred conditions. She regularly “outfished” anyone who went with her, whether a pond or the middle of Caney. Later, she became an avid quilter, and her “quilty” friends gave her so much joy. Although her immediate family was small, her friend circle was large. She loved her “girls” and enjoyed traveling, playing dominoes, and spending time together, especially after moving to Monroe.

Her greatest love was her grandchildren. When she became Granny, her best life began. She loved watching every sporting event that the kids were playing and traveled all over to watch them play. Granny never missed a game, no matter how hot or cold or how far away. Her grandbabies were her world, and she became an extra Granny to all their friends.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, SuAnn Dycus, and her husband, Joe Dee; her son, Chuck Walpole, and his fiancé, Jodie; and her grandchildren, Ty and Jake Dycus and Claire Walpole. She is also survived by her dear friends, Gay, Carolyn, Linda, Dorothy, and Sharon.

The family offers its sincere gratitude for the kindness and care shown to Suzanne over the last three years by Dr. Scott Barron and his wonderful staff, Louisiana Hospice, Serenity Care Providers, and Dr. Paul Murphy. Special thanks and love goes to Dr. Kerry Anders, who was there for every question and concern along the way.

Visitation will be Friday, September 27, 2024, between 11a.m. and 1p.m. at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, 1200 Lamy Lane, Monroe, Louisiana. The family will have a private celebration of life following visitation.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering, a cause she was always passionate about. We will hold her in our hearts and be together in our dreams until we are reunited with her again.

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