Mark Allen Sutton

Mark Allen Sutton, 78, passed away on February 1, 2026. Born September 15, 1947 to Norman and Dorothy Sutton, he grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas. At age 18, Mark surrendered his life to Christ, a decision that shaped every chapter of his faith and ministry.

While attending Louisiana College, Mark formed the singing group We Three Kings, traveling throughout the United States and abroad to lead revivals in more than 500 churches, including ministry in Korea. During this season, he met Susan Hill, whom he married on August 29, 1969.

Mark and Susan studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where Mark earned a Master of Theology. He served his first pastorate at Simpson Baptist Church in Simpson, Louisiana. In 1976, following God’s call to missions, the family moved to France, where Mark served six years as a church planter and pastor of L’Eglise Évangélique Baptiste in Lyon, France. His love of the French language would stay with him for the rest of his life, and it was not unusual for him to strike up conversations with strangers when he heard French being spoken. This would be used by God repeatedly to form relationships and to glorify God.

The family returned to the U.S. in 1982, and Mark became the first pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Hammond, Louisiana. In 1989, Mark began a 21-year pastorate at Brookwood Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. Known as a compassionate pastor and wise counselor, he preached and taught with warmth, humor, and memorable stories. Mark also served as President of the Louisiana Baptist Convention from 1993 to 1995 and authored five books: 30 Days to a Better Marriage, Conquering Depression, Still God’s Man, Hope Again, and Pitfall.

In 2003, Mark experienced profound loss with the passing of his wife Susan after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. In God’s kindness, he was given renewed joy when, in 2004, Mark married Donna Osborne, whom he and his daughters considered a gracious gift from God.

Mark retired from Brookwood in 2010 and moved with Donna to Orlando, Florida. Although he “retired” from full-time ministry, he was still called by God to serve. He became the Legacy Adult Pastor at First Baptist Orlando Church, then interim pastor at South Orlando Baptist Church, while also serving as a seminary instructor through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His primary mission woven throughout all this was the ministry he and Donna founded, Mark Sutton Ministries, which supported pastoral training and ministry in Haiti. As of today, MSM is the primary supporter for two schools, two churches, and pastoral training for the Haitian island of La Gonave. In 2017, against all odds, God brought him through a successful lung transplant, and they moved to Daytona Beach, continuing faithful ministry through MSM and local churches. His most recent ministry was at Oasis Church of Ormond Beach, where he served on the Elder Board and taught a small group Bible study.

Outside the pulpit, Mark loved music, reading, and writing. He enjoyed playing the guitar, and his daughters treasure memories of him sitting outside their bedrooms at night, singing them to sleep. A gifted storyteller, he created countless stories for his daughters that they still cherish today. He also loved watching sports and traveling the world with Donna, enjoying cruises and adventures that allowed them to see new places, meet new people, and make lasting memories together.

Mark was preceded in death by his first wife, Susan Sutton; his parents, Norman and Dorothy Sutton; and daughter-in-law Diana Osborne. He is survived by his wife, Donna Sutton; daughters Amy Ricketts (Kris), Jennifer Sutton, and Sarah Sutton (Grant Guillory); stepchildren Nancy Osborne and Rick Osborne; brother Joel Sutton (Rhonda); grandchildren Alexandra English, Joshua Ricketts, Kristyn Ricketts, Jeremiah Gordo, and Audra King-Self; in-laws Martha “Mitzi” Lewis (“Buck”), Jeanne Vaughn (Eric), Lynda Shelton (“Hop”), and Sally Deaner (“Cay”); his beloved friends, Bruce and Sherry Hennigan; and many extended family members and cherished members of past congregations.

Mark will be remembered for his faithful evangelism, compassionate heart, steady wisdom, gentle humor, love of music and words, and for being a devoted husband, father, and beloved Poppee.

Florida: A memorial service for Mark’s Florida friends and family will be held on Saturday, February 7, at Oasis Church in Ormond Beach, Florida, with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and the service to follow at 2:00 p.m.

Louisiana: For his Louisiana friends and family, visitation and a memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 22, at Brookwood Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, with visitation beginning at 3:00 p.m. and the service to follow at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Mark Sutton Ministries at https://www.marksuttonministries.org/content/view/partner.