Myra Sue Howell Towery

Myra Sue Howell Towery, lovingly known as SuSu, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and educator died on Thursday, September 19, 2024; she was 84. SuSu was born on October 14, 1939, in Minden, Louisiana and was a graduate of Terrebonne High School, Centenary College of Louisiana, and LSUS.
A lifelong reading specialist and educator, Sue was a pioneer in the development of literacy programs around Caddo Parish. Beginning her career in the classroom of Green Oaks High School in 1975, Sue spent her career blessing her students with the sacred gift of reading. Towery was the teacher and organizer of the first remedial reading classes in Caddo public high schools. Two-time Chairwoman of the Caddo-Bossier Literacy Council, Sue also launched the first literacy classes at the Caddo Detention Center, the JTPA-CPSB reading program for AT-RISK students at Huntington High School, the Adult Literacy Program for the PALS lab to homeless adults, Project Achieve at Booker T Washington High School, and the Hamilton Terrace Adult learning Center.
With her charismatic personality and passion for the underserved, Sue was a specialist in breaking down racial, geographic, and economic boundaries throughout Shreveport and Bossier in her effort to combat illiteracy. Sue also served two years as the Principal of the Southfield Lower School.
In addition to her remarkable career as an educator, Sue was also known for her impeccable sense of style and fashion. A Beauty Queen at Terrebonne High School, Sue went on to become Miss Terrebonne Parish that same year. Her accolades didn’t stop at the Parish line, as Sue went on to become a Centenary Beauty before a career as a professional model at the Dallas Fashion Market throughout the 70’s. In the 1980’s Sue was known as one of the leading fashion consultants and influencers in Shreveport as a franchisee of the International Fashion Movement, Color Me Beautiful.
Nicknamed “SuSu,” her greatest joys in life were experiences outside of her professional life. She adored her husband, W.H. “Bill” Towery, to whom she was married for 45 years. She relished in laughter and time shared with her three children, cherished the companionship of her many friends, and loved hosting parties, book clubs, and birthdays. But perhaps nothing gave SuSu greater joy than a day spent with one or all of her grandchildren.
SuSu is preceded in death by her parents, Gus Howell and Myra Rae, her husband W. H. Towery, and her sister Evelyn Camille. She is survived by her children, Sigrid Rasmussen Williams, Johnny Rasmussen, Paul Rasmussen (Ashley), stepchildren Michael Towery and Stephanie Towery Hollis (Ted), and her five grandchildren – Grace Williams Bulin (John), Lila Williams, PJ Rasmussen, Arden Rasmussen, and Luke Rasmussen. And Madeleine Hollis, Emma Hollis, Carla Hollis Wellborn (Cody), Cassie Hollis, and Alisha Myers. Also survived by brother Eddie Howell (Carolyn), their children Rachel, David and Kimberly, and brother Ted Howell (Janet) and their children Clarcie and Jessica.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the extraordinary caregivers who stayed with SuSu for the past several months, including Yolanda Smith, Eartha Garner, Sharon Sno, the Willis-Knighton Piermont 6th Floor nurses, and the angelic staff of LifePath Hospice.
A memorial service will be held in Couch Chapel at First Methodist Church Shreveport at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, September 24th officiated by Senior Minister, Dr. Steven Bell. Memorial gifts may be made to Community Renewal International – Shreveport https://communityrenewal.ejoinme.org/donate