Suzanne Stearns

Suzanne Stearns, 79, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in a local hospital. She was born on June 14, 1946, in Bunkie, Louisiana, to Sam and Sadie Ducote Gullett.

Suzanne, affectionately known as “Granny” to everyone, devoted 40 years of her life to education, faithfully serving students across two states and in several schools, including Youngsville, Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School, Immaculate Conception Catholic School, St. Louis Catholic High School, and Grand Lake School. She taught a wide range of subjects, from core academics to special education, computer science, and religion. More than anything, she was a steady and caring presence in the classroom, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of the many students she guided and encouraged over the years.

Suzanne’s life was a testimony of dedication, faith, and love. She will be deeply missed, and her legacy will live on in the many lives she touched. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, whose life centered on her faith and her family.

Those left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband of 57 years, Deacon George Stearns; her stepmother, Bea Gullett; her children, Dr. Jennie Stearns (Johnny Collins), Debbie Fife (Denny), Theresa James (Kenneth), Katie Stearns, and Dr. Carrie Faulk (Randall); her grandchildren, Asher Collins, Piper Collins, Zoey O’Connor, Olivia O’Connor, Madeleine Dronet (Daniel Freeman), Lilly Fife, Peyton James (Hannah), Sandra James, Benjamin James, Thomas James, Sage Hargrove (Emily Hidalgo), Matthew Nunez (Jillian), Rylee Faulk, Lawrence Faulk, and Andrew Faulk; and her great-grandchildren, Charlotte Dronet, Oliver Nunez, and Myles Nunez.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sam Gullett and Sadie Gullett; her brother, Michael Gullett; her mother-in-law, Alice Stearns; and her grandchildren, Spencer Fontenot and Finn Fontenot.

The family will receive guests for visitation in the chapel of Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake Street, on Sunday, May 10, 2026, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with a rosary being recited at 6:00 PM.

Suzanne will be laid to rest in St. Charles Cemetery following a private Mass of Christian Burial for her family on Monday, May 11, 2026, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles.