Suzanne Joan (Abshire) McCall peacefully passed beyond this world surrounded by friends and family on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Suzanne was born to Adeline (Rodak) Abshire and Asel Paul Abshire on Oct. 28, 1947 in Chicago, Ill. In her youth, the Abshire family relocated to Lake Charles, La., where Suzanne spent much of her life before building and moving into her dream home on Lake Gaston in 2002.

Suzanne is survived by her husband and best friend, George Folsom McCall III; her three sons,  Glenn (Terri) McCall, Jeremy (Barbie) McCall, and Shannon McCall; her brother, Wayne Abshire; her sister, Valerie (Guy) Bowmaster, and six grandchildren, Layla, Reese, Hutson, Kael, Cassidy, and Brittney.

Suzanne was a member of the 1965 class from Lagrange High School in Lake Charles, La. Upon graduation, she pursued her nursing degree at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, graduating with honors in the class of 1969.  After completing her nursing degree, Suzanne volunteered for the Air Force in January of 1970, with the intention of heading overseas during the Vietnam War to provide aid and comfort to her fellow countrymen and women. Her dedication in preparation of her tour earned her Officer of the Quarter honors while stationed at Minot AFB, N.D. She achieved the rank of First Lieutenant prior to being honorably discharged in 1972. It was in Vietnam that Suzanne met her future husband and partner, George.

Suzanne and George married on Jan. 25, 1972 in Lake Charles, La. Suzanne remained in Lake Charles for the birth of the couple’s first child, Glenn, before reuniting with George in Sembach, Germany. The trio resided in Germany for a few years, gaining the lifelong friendship of their landlord and his wife prior to returning to Lake Charles, to welcome the birth of their second child, Jeremy. The quickly growing family resided in Pineville, La. until George was reassigned back to Sembach, Germany. 

The McCall family took every opportunity to travel and experience life and culture of many European countries. George and Suzanne were afforded the opportunity to treat their respective mothers to vacations abroad, creating cherished memories along the way. While in Germany, the couple welcomed the birth of their third child, Shannon.  The family returned to the states in 1981, moving briefly to Abilene, Texas and Norfolk, Va., prior to settling down in Lake Charles to be close to Suzanne’s parents. 

Upon returning to Lake Charles in 1983, Suzanne began working at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed a 20 year career at LCMH, spending the majority of her time as head nurse on the rehab floor. Always dedicated to her patient-first approach to care, she earned a stout reputation as a steadfast and integral part of her nursing community, earning many nurse of the month awards during her tenure.

During her time in Lake Charles, Suzanne continued caring for her fellow Vietnam veterans. She and George became members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 215, with Suzanne serving as the chapter’s president for 10 years. While president, she served on the Lake Charles Mayor’s Armed Forces Committee, and was the state’s VVA Agent Orange chairperson.  In 1993, Suzanne represented the chapter when she, along with her sister, Valerie, attended the Vietnam Women’s Memorial dedication ceremony, an event she cherished and spoke of often.

Upon their retirements in Lake Charles, Suzanne and George relocated to the Lake Gaston area. Suzanne was able to achieve her life long ambition of building her yellow dream house and trolling around the lake in her yellow pontoon boat. She watched her grandkids learn to swim and catch fish off their dock. She loved being on the dock, taking in the day’s sunrise with a cup of coffee and closing the day with a glass of wine amongst friends and family.

Funeral services for Suzanne will be held on March 23, 2024 at St. Peter’s Catholic church in Ebony, Va. Family reception and visitation will begin at 10 a.m., funerary mass to be conducted at 11 a.m., with lunch and social gathering to follow.  Additionally, a graveside service will be held at Highland Memorial Gardens upon Suzanne’s return to Lake Charles, La. Details for that service will be announced in the future.

In lieu of sending flowers, the McCall family would like to request donations be sent to the following organizations:

American Cancer Society; https://www.cancer.org 

Hope Lodge in Greenville, N.C.: https://www.cancer.org/support-pro grams-and-services/pa tient-lodging/hope-lodge/greenville.html 

Friends may sign the online register by visiting www.hockadayfs.com.  Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service is serving the McCall family.