Martha Ann Sutton Maple

Martha Ann Sutton Maple was born on January 28, 1937. She and her older brother, Howard, grew up in Blevins, Arkansas, the children of Hugh Eddie and Iva Sutton. Martha graduated from State Teachers College in Arkadelphia and began what would become a long, storied, and deeply impactful career in education.

Martha’s greatest pride was her two sons. Stan was born in 1959 in Shreveport, and Paul arrived twenty years later. Both will attest to their mother’s unwavering commitment to teaching, as they spent countless after-school hours and weekends by her side in the classroom. Along the way, they became seasoned bulletin-board artists and paper graders. Martha’s life was further enriched by the birth of her only granddaughter, Leighton, who continues to follow in her father Paul’s footsteps as a devoted reader.

The love of Martha’s life was Richard Maple. They met while teaching in the Little Rock School District. Martha later began teaching for the Caddo Parish School Board, and Richard followed her to Shreveport in 1996. Together, they worked at Shreve Island Elementary School — Martha as a classroom teacher and Richard as a library aide — until Richard’s passing in December of 2007.

A lifelong champion of literacy, Martha shared her guiding philosophy — “You don’t have to read every day, only on the days you eat” — with thousands of students and fellow educators across Arkansas and Louisiana during her more than 60 years in education. Former students and colleagues consistently praise her as an exceptional educator and mentor. While she received an Ed.S. degree from Louisiana State University, Martha never believed learning was ever finished. Her constant companion was always a professional book. Her wisdom was quiet and steady — thoughtful, patient, and enduring — passed on through encouragement, honest feedback, and a deep belief that learning never ends.

Martha was also a devoted sports fan, particularly of teams from Arkansas and, above all, her beloved Razorbacks. Most Saturdays found her with the television tuned to football — whether she was working in her classroom or relaxing at home. Her “Woo Pig Sooie” pride ran deep, and her loyalty to the University of Arkansas was unwavering.

Martha lived by the philosophy, “It is what it is.” This outlook carried her through her final three years and three months as she bravely battled blood cancer. She faced every challenge with grace and optimism, never giving up the fight until her passing on December 27, 2025, with her son Stan at her side. The family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Kirtan Koticha and his staff at Highland Clinic for their compassionate care.

Those Left to Cherish Her Memory

Martha is survived by her sons, Stan Smith and Paul Sutton Cox; Paul’s wife, Stephanie, and children, Elijah and Leighton; her brother, Howard E. Sutton, and his children: Hal Sutton and wife Stacy, Debbie Covington and husband C. Kenneth, and Pam Shapen and husband Ken. Her nieces and nephews include Vaughn Shapen and wife Taylor, Kyle Shapen, Blake Shapen, Samantha Sutton, Sadie Webster and husband Robert, Sara Riley and husband David, and Holt Sutton, along with step-grandchildren Taytum and Ashton.

Funeral Service

A funeral service will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana 71118, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Reverend Dalton Lewis, Pastor of Gladstone Community Church, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, Martha’s family request that donations may be made and delivered to the Gladstone Community Church, 856 Gladestone Blvd. Shreveport, LA 71104.

Despite our sorrow, Martha’s story lives on in the lessons she taught, the books she loved, and the countless lives she forever touched.