Saundra Lee Belaire

Saundra Lee Belaire, born January 31, 1937, in Lake Charles, LA, passed peacefully from this life on January 14, 2023 at her home in Ruston, LA.

Saundra grew up in Lake Charles, attending St. Charles Academy and graduating from Lake Charles High School in 1955.  She attended University of Southwestern Louisiana, majoring in art, and was a charter member of Kappa Delta sorority, before commencing what she considered her greatest role in life, that of becoming mother to her three children and raising them with great love and devotion.  That same love and devotion would carry on to be shared with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and she will forever be endeared to them as their “Mommie”.  Many years after raising her family, she returned to college to complete a degree from McNeese State University in Education.   Post-graduation, she moved to Ruston, LA to be near family, most especially her grandchildren.   From there, she would pursue a career as an outstanding educator at Cedar Creek Elementary.  During those years she touched the lives of many children, sharing with them her love of history, art and music. 

Saundra was an active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church during the 30 years she resided in Ruston. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Morris James Belaire, Inez Wilson Belaire and Juanita Taylor Belaire, brother Morris James Belaire, Jr. “Bobby”, sister Renee’ Belaire Terrell, and grandson Thomas Gray Stephens. 

Survivors include son Bryan Cook (Suzanne), daughters Julie Cook Rogers (Steve) and Susan Cook Stephens (Gray); grandchildren Michael Rogers, Erin Rogers Blackburn, Jeffery Cook (Hilary), Anna Stephens Godfrey (Steven), John Stephens (Ashley), Laura Cook Lawrence (Rob), Katherine Stephens Lambert (Jesse) , eleven great grandchildren, sister Deborah Ann Belaire and many nieces and nephews. 

A visitation and funeral mass for Ms. Belaire will be held at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Lake Charles, LA on January 28,2023 with the visitation beginning at 11:00 AM and mass beginning at 12 Noon, Father Samuel Bond, celebrant.  Following mass, burial will take place at Orange Grove and Graceland Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in your community, or SVDP donation sent to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 813 Carey Avenue, Ruston, LA 71270, or charity of your choice.

The family wishes to extend special gratitude to friend and caregiver, Willie Mae Howard, of Ruston, LA.