Susanna Atkins McCarthy passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on June 8th, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Born on June 20th, 1961, in Shreveport, Louisiana, her generosity of spirit, love of the culinary arts, photography, travel, and genuine Southern hospitality was felt by many throughout the state and beyond.
Susanna began her education at Southfield School in Shreveport and earned a degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was an active member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
Susanna’s educational journey, natural curiosity, and love of travel took her throughout Europe and the Americas in pursuit of her passion for the culinary arts. As an enthusiastic student of fine art, her career included positions at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., and Sotheby’s in New York City. Susanna settled in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with her husband, Terry McCarthy. They welcomed their son, Will, on December 5th, 2001.
As a devoted mother, Susanna donated her time, experience, and support to numerous Baton Rouge organizations, including Episcopal High School, the Junior League of Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Food Bank, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, the Rural Life Museum, and Baton Rouge Green. Susanna had a deep love of nature, nature’s creatures, all things beautiful, and she never met a stranger.
Preceded in death by her parents, William James Atkins and Ruth Knighton Atkins, Susanna is survived by her son, William John McCarthy, of Washington, D.C.; brothers, William James Atkins Jr. of Shreveport, Louisiana; and John Edward Atkins (Lindsay) of Shreveport, Louisiana; sister, Alison Atkins Crowther of Miami, Florida; niece, Juliette Louise Elliott (Colin); along with many loving cousins and a great-niece, Lila, and great-nephew, Luke. She also leaves behind her former husband, Terrance Robert McCarthy, father of her son.
A memorial visitation will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70802, on Sunday, June 14th, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 15th, 2026, at St. James Episcopal Church, 205 North Fourth Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70801.
Susanna’s family would like to express sincere appreciation and gratitude to Mother Lynn Hooks of St. James Episcopal Church, St. Joseph Hospice, Home Care of Louisiana, and Dr. Benjamin Levron.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to Baton Rouge Green or a charity of your choice.
