Henrietta Stamps Sutera

Henrietta Sutera, age 91, passed away peacefully in her home in Inman, South Carolina, surrounded by family on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. We are so grateful for the warm hospice care and support from family and friends.

A service will be held in her honor at Boiling Springs First Baptist Church at 3600 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling Springs, SC 29316, on Sunday, February 8, 2026, conducted by Rev, Dr. Hank Williams and Rev. Ronnie Cox.  Calling hours will be from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., the service will follow at 3:00 p.m., and the burial will immediately follow the service in the church cemetery. To remember and honor her, the family is requesting that those who are able, wear something blue, which was her favorite color.

She is survived by her loving husband, Louis Sutera; her four children, Rebecca (Dale) Briggs, Jeanna (Mike) Smith, Pamela (Shaun) Christy, and Jonathan (Megan) Sutera; 14 grandchildren and their spouses; and 17 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Oretha (Paul) Shaffer; brother-in-law, Ralph Sutera; sisters-in-law, Donna Maranto, Rosemarie Dreyer, Jeanette Laury, and Nancy Stamps; and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Henrietta was preceded in death by her first husband, Anthony Maranto Jr.; her parents, Henry and Mamie Stamps; four sisters, Elizabeth, Ernestine, Merle, and Pearl; one brother, John; along with several sisters- and brothers in-law on all sides of the family.

Henrietta was born on September 29, 1934, in Morgan, Georgia. At the age of 15, her family moved to White Plains, New York, where they resided through her high school years. She attended Nyack Bible College, where she completed her Bachelor's degree in Missions and a Bachelor's degree in Christian Education. She began teaching first grade at Hilltop Elementary School. In June of 1956, she met and married Anthony Maranto, who passed away in February of 1959. She then went to New York State University to complete her Master's degree in Elementary Education while teaching and raising Becky.

She was introduced to Louis Sutera by a mutual friend on July 4, 1965, and one year later they were married on July 16, 1966. While her original life plan of being a missionary to Vietnam never materialized, Henrietta used her knowledge of the Word to lead many Bible studies, discipleship classes, and Sunday School classes for all ages in the churches she attended. She also provided years of Christian counseling to many people, helping to make positive differences in their lives. After many years of studying, teaching, counseling, and discipleship, she was motivated to write a book, How to Live the Wonderful Christian Life , which is still in print and being used today.

Henrietta's first love was her Lord and Savior. She desired to honor and glorify Him in everything she did—from raising her children, to hosting many people in her home, to leading many lives to Jesus. She was also an amazing example of a faithful wife to her loving husband. We know she was welcomed into the arms of Jesus and is hearing the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the "Henrietta Sutera Memorial Fund" at Boiling Springs First Baptist Church 3600 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling Springs, SC 29316.