Charles Edward Sutton, Sr.

Funeral services for Charles Edward Sutton, Sr., 89, will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport, Louisiana. Interment will follow at Forest Park West Cemetery in Shreveport. A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

Charles was born January 31, 1937, in Longview, Texas to Earl Ervin Sutton and Freda Corrine Templin Sutton and passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in River Ridge, Louisiana.

Charles was married to Helen Carole Gibson on July 11, 1958, at Queensborough Baptist Church in Shreveport. They had two children: Rhonda Kaye Sutton Alassal (DOB: 10/18/1960; DOD: 07/26/1997) and Charles E. Sutton, Jr. (DOB: 08/09/1964).

A dedicated educator, journalist, and veteran, he leaves behind a profound legacy of service, leadership, and positive influence. His career spanned more than five decades, during which he made enduring contributions across military service, journalism, and both K-12 and higher education.

His journey of service began in the U.S. Navy, where he served honorably from 1954 to 1957. Following his military service, he turned his talents to journalism and education. He worked as a reporter for the Shreveport Times from 1957 to 1964, while concurrently beginning his lifelong commitment to teaching at Fairfield Elementary School from 1962 to 1964. His exceptional early impact as an educator was recognized in 1964 when the Shreveport Jaycees honored him with the "Outstanding Young Teacher of the Year" award.

Throughout the late 1960s, he balanced roles with the Baton Rouge State Times and the Louisiana State Department of Education. His passion for shaping the next generation of educators led him to Louisiana Tech University, where he spent over twenty years as a Professor of Education and Director of Student Teaching from 1969 to 1990. He later returned to public school administration, serving with distinction as both a teacher and Principal within the Elysian Fields ISD from 1990 to 2002. He concluded his formal teaching career as a Professor in Education at East Texas Baptist University, serving from 2002 until his retirement in 2010.

An accomplished writer and respected professional, his accolades included the Louisiana Teachers Association Writing Award, a prominent listing in Outstanding Young Men of America, and his impactful work as a Columnist for Louisiana Schools.

Beyond his extensive professional obligations, he was a man of exemplary personal character who possessed a vibrant spirit. An avid conversationalist, he thoroughly enjoyed discussing politics over coffee with friends. He was a man for whom church, family and friends were of utmost importance, and he led his entire life consistent with such principles. He will be deeply missed and remembered most for his unwavering positivity and the encouraging influence he consistently extended to everyone around him.

Charles is preceded in death by his father, Earl Ervin Sutton; mother, Freda Corrine Templin Sutton; brothers, Johnny Mack Sutton, Earl Franklin Sutton, Jack Douglas Sutton, Jerry David Sutton; sisters, Mary Francis Sutton Anderson, Doris Marie Sutton Williams; and daughter, Rhonda Kaye Sutton Alassal.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Helen Carole Gibson Sutton; son and daughter-in-law, Charles Edward Sutton, Jr. and Gina Vicich Sutton; grandsons, Christopher Mustafa Alassal, Andrew Charles Sutton; granddaughters, Rana Christine Alassal, Lauren Elizabeth Sutton, Amanda Kaye Sutton; and great-grandsons, Tristan Heath Inman, Ryker Derek Clark, Miller Craig McCaughey, and Sutton Daniel McCaughey.

Honoring Charles as pallbearers will be Christopher Mustafa Alassal, Andrew Charles Sutton, Tristan Heath Inman, Ryker Derek Clark, Bobby Derrell Sutton, Jr., John Stuart Sutton, David Jackson Webb, Glenn Michael Britt Rosett, and Jack Douglas Sutton, Jr. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be members of the Dennis Wilson Group Sunday School Class at Airline Baptist Church.