Susan Jan Hartsfield

On September 27, 2024, Susan Jan Hartsfield left to join her Lord and Savior in his Heavenly Kingdom. Susan was born on December 20, 1945, in Pensacola, Florida to Lawanna and Jerry Hartsfield. She graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1963, then attended Louisiana Tech University where she earned a degree in education. Susan then spent the next forty years in the classroom impacting hundreds of students.

Susan taught at Airline High School, and also for a short time at Trinity Heights Christian Academy. No matter where she taught, students were always drawn to her vibrant personality, her love for the theater arts, and her over-the-top accessories and outfits. What they loved most about her; was they knew she would always be an advocate on their behalf. Whether it was supporting their choice for the school theater production, taking up for them when they were in trouble, or even joining in on student shenanigans, it was obvious to the kids, Ms. Hartsfield was always Team Students. In one memorable moment, the students begged her to let them perform the musical “Grease.” She laughed and said, “These songs will get me fired…Let’s do it!” Everyone will fondly remember Ms. Hartsfield in her bedazzled sunglasses, clapping her hands together, throwing her head back, and laughing. Always being their source of joy and light during those trying high school years. 

Susan was always talking about how blessed she was, to have life-long friends. She knew she could always count on this group of ladies whether it was for prayer, a good time, or to even break her out of the hospital a time or two, much to the disbelief of an entire team of doctors and nurses. Brandon and Britney will be forever grateful for this group of ladies who loved their mom and matched her energy. 

While her students and friends always had a special place in her heart, nothing would ever compare to the love Susan felt for her children and grandchildren. While Brandon and Britney were growing up, Susan spent countless hours supporting them in all of their extra-curricular activities. She was a dance mom, Peter Pan Player’s mom, Student Council mom, Tennis Mom, always throwing her full support behind anything Britney and Brandon wanted to participate in. Brandon and Britney made Susan so proud! She always had a very special bond with her daughter Britney, and Britney was by her side when Susan took her last breath. Susan also adored her son-in-law Adam and was so proud to watch him grow from a mischievous little boy, into a Louisiana State Senator. She enjoyed every stage of being a mother, and her favorite was watching her children be parents to their own children. Susan loved being Susie to Baylor, Bear, Beckett, and Skye. She never missed an opportunity to spend one-on-one time with her grandkids and was always their biggest supporter on the sidelines or in the audience. 

When Susan was not teaching or spending time with her friends and family, she could be found advocating for students beyond the classroom walls as a former President of the Bossier Parish School Board, supporting local theater programs and school drama clubs, helping others with public speaking, attending Cypress Baptist Church, and being a complete menace to society in the most hilarious of ways to the staff at Brookdale Assisted Living facility (to the entire staff at Brookdale, we sincerely apologize). The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Deere and the nurses at Willis Knighton for being so kind during this difficult time, Mr. Jason Rowland for presiding over her service, and pallbearers Frank Auer, Adam Bass, Bear Bass, Beckett Bass, Gil Beck, Mike Beck, Terry Beck, and Jason Rowland, for honoring our mom. Honorary pallbearers include Gail Auer, Al Barrera, Pat Burchett, Bonnie Cox, Lynda Davis, Sue Kirkland, Jeanie McKinley, Terry Shinn, and Judy Shipp. 

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Lawanna and Jerry Hartsfield, and her sister Sandy Arnold. She is survived by her daughter, Britney Barrera Bass, and husband, Adam Bass; their three children, Baylor, Bear, and Beckett, her son Brandon Barrera and daughter Skye. They all will miss her dearly and are so grateful for the inspiring legacy of love, laughter, and strong faith she left with us all. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 29th from 5-7 pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City. A celebration of life for Susan will be held September 30, 2024, at 1 pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home with a procession to follow. While her former students, church family at Cypress Baptist Church, devoted friends, and beloved children and grandchildren will miss her terribly, it is the hope of her family that you laugh and cut up with your friends and family today because nothing would have made Susan happier.