Suellyn Claire Knowles

Funeral services for Suellyn Claire White Knowles, 82, of Benton, Louisiana will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023, at First United Methodist Church of Bossier City, 201 John Wesley Boulevard, Bossier City, Louisiana at 2:00 p.m. A visitation will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. Officiating the service will be Reverend Sione Tu'uta and organist Carlton Gilmer.

Suellyn Claire White Knowles was born on February 21, 1941, to Whitmel Thomas White and Sue Myers White in Shreveport, Louisiana, and passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.

Suellyn was a graduate of Bossier High School in 1959, she would go on to receive her bachelor’s degree in education from Louisiana Tech University in the early 1970’s and returned to Louisiana Tech to receive a master’s in counseling in 1985. Suellyn’s true love was children. She sincerely believed in the idea that “little ones to him belong.” She was a devoted teacher for 25 years at Apollo Elementary School where her diligence and dedication were consistently shown as she was often the last one to leave, ensuring that everything was ready for the next day. After her retirement, it was not uncommon for someone to approach her in a store or restaurant and tell her “You were my favorite teacher!” In addition to her duties as a public educator, she was also a Sunday School teacher at First United Methodist Church of Bossier City. There she was an active member for over 50 years, serving as a youth counselor for Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) in the 1980’s, and sharing her love of music by participating in the Chancel Choir and later the Circuit Riders. She was continuously involved in her church community, serving on the Worship Committee, and was along time member of the Midyett Class. In 2005 she received a Special Recognition pin from the United Methodist Women.

Her most joyful times were being surrounded by family and friends, and those times were rare when she didn’t insist on playing some sort of card or board game with those who came to visit her. Her infectious laugh and sweet nature brightened the day of anyone she encountered. Suellyn’s kindness and compassion were abundant. She helped others through organized channels like Helping Hands, or tutoring programs, or in more private ways like furnishing school supplies for students. 

Suellyn Claire White Knowles was preceded in death by her parents, Whitmel Thomas White and Sue Myers White; and her brother, Whitmel Thomas “Tom” White, Jr. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Thomas Glenn Knowles; daughters, Vickie Knowles Carpenter and husband, Ken; Nita Knowles VanTil and husband, Steve; granddaughter, Amanda Carpenter Massey and husband, Jonathan; great-grandson, Nathan Massey; sister, Marsha White Garred and husband, Larry; nieces, Jennifer Evans Corley and Susan Evans-Axelsson; and nephew, Robert White.

Pallbearers will be Paul Draper, Sam Merritt, Kenneth Hill, Ted Lowery, Johnny Murray, Don Rittenberry, Harry Solomon, and Carroll Traylor.

The family kindly requests that any donations be made to the Helping Hands Food Pantry of FUMC Bossier City or the charity of your choosing.