Elizabeth Annette Sutton

Elizabeth Annette Sutton, 80, of Reidsville, North Carolina, passed away on December 1, 2023. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace. Special thanks to the doctors and nurses, palliative care, and Beacon Place at Authora Care of Greensboro for Annette’s care.

Annette was born on August 4, 1943, to Harold Pope Smith and Mary Elizabeth Garner in Carroll County, GA. After graduating from Villa Rica High School in 1961, she studied Business Administration at Berry College, where she met the love of her life, Sidney Paul Sutton, Jr.  Annette and Paul married on March 27, 1965, following their graduation from Berry College.

Annette worked at Humble Oil in Houston, TX in the couple's early married life, but her attention soon shifted to establishing her family.  Paul and Annette had four children: Michele Renee, Ashley Christian, Deborah Anne, and Aaron Paul. Annette dedicated her talents, energy, and passion to raising their four children, working and managing the farm, and establishing a vibrant home. Annette had a welcoming gift of hospitality and welcomed business acquaintances, church friends, and loved ones to her home.  Her greatest joy was with her family, with the Outer Banks beach trip being one of her favorite times. 

Annette’s Christian faith was the anchor for her personal life and her family. She dedicated her life to personal spiritual disciplines as well as serving in the church and Christian schools and giving her gifts and talents. Annette reentered the workplace in Christian education as a daycare director and Christian school administration.  Her passion and love for children were evident as she ministered to families in the same way she loved her family.

Over their 56 years of marriage, Paul and Annette had four children, 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Annette was predeceased by her parents, Harold Pope Smith and Mary Elizabeth Garner; husband, Sidney Sutton; and her sisters Bobbie Jean Bagley and Sarah Francis Smith. She is survived by her children Michele (Lee) Worley, Ashley (Donna) Sutton, Deborah Jenkins, and Aaron (Tina) Sutton; grandchildren Kristin (Marc) Boucher, Morgan (Kevin) Merritt, Jasmin Sutton, Mariah Sutton, Elizabeth Sutton, Alexis Jenkins, Christopher Jenkins, River Sutton, Lincoln Sutton, and Ayden Sutton and great-grandchildren, Jada White, Jordan Sutton, Rakim White, Camden Henegan, Kevin Merritt III, and Allen Merritt.

A visitation for Annette is planned for Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 11 am to 12 pm. The visitation will be at the Faith and Family Church on 8845 NC Hwy 87, Reidsville, North Carolina. All are invited to attend. The funeral will follow immediately at noon, and burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park in Greensboro, NC.

Memorials and floral tributes may be sent to Wilkerson Funeral Home, 1909 Richardson Drive, Reidsville, NC 27320.