Obituary: Evelyn Cunningham Sutton

August 10, 1935 – December 26, 2024

Bucklesberry-Evelyn Cunningham Sutton, 89, was received into the presence of her loving Lord on Thursday, December 26, 2024. Evelyn was born in Lenoir County to the late Leon Lee and Libby Sutton Cunningham on August 10, 1935. In addition to her parents, she was reunited in death with her eleven siblings and her husband of forty-seven years, Kay Sutton.

Alongside her husband, Evelyn worked on the family farm until their retirement. From there, she went on to work in the cafeteria at La Grange Elementary School for twelve years, alongside the late Hattie Holloman and the late Ruth Ellen Hooten, who were her best friends throughout her life.

Always full of energy, Evelyn was hard at work from the time her feet hit the floor until she returned to bed at night. Never one to be idle, she was constantly occupied with things that brought her joy. If the weather was good, you could find her spending hours in her well-manicured yard raking up pine straw, weeding flower beds, or cutting the grass. She’d then step across the road to her garden where she grew a bounty of vegetables, always offering to share her harvest with friends, neighbors, and family. Once back inside, Evelyn was making sure everything was clean and in place before preparing a daily meal for her family.

Known as “Grandma” to everyone, Evelyn not only raised her children, but was also instrumental in raising her grandson and great-grandchildren. She looked forward to phone calls from them every morning, and was only content when she knew where everyone was throughout the day and night. Never one to say no, she did everything she could to ensure her family’s happiness and wellbeing. She took every opportunity to babysit her great-grandchildren, whether that meant keeping them at their house or hosting them for sleepovers at hers. Through all of her day-to-day activities, Evelyn found her joy most in the bonds of family.

Through her various acts of kindness, Evelyn showed love to many. Anytime someone was sick or a family was bereaved, she was one of the first to arrive with a pot of soup, a pan of apple dumplings, or whatever she knew to be their favorite. Her cooking ability was beyond compare, and her family was blessed to enjoy her dishes on a daily basis. Though everything she cooked was excellent, there was nothing better than her chocolate pie, hamburger steak, and collards. Living within shouting distance of all her immediate family, they all knew Evelyn was just a phone call away and would be ready to help in any way she could.

When the television was on, you could most often find Evelyn watching Fox News—except at 1:30 for Bold and the Beautiful or when there was a UNC Basketball game going on. A trip to Chic-Fil-A was made almost daily for her favorite sandwich, always going to Kinston instead of Goldsboro because they offered the senior discount. Though she never had a cell phone and refused the opportunity to get one, she was always in the know about the happenings in and around her home. She kept up with her family, church family, and neighbors, ensuring that everything was going well. Time for reading was always welcomed, too, and she spent the later hours of the evening in her favorite fiction novels.

Blessed with an extended family that she loved dearly, Evelyn spent much time with her brothers- and sisters-in-law through the years. Outings to Buddy’s on Saturdays and Friday evening shopping at the mall brought time for great fellowship and fun. Also blessed with a great church family, Evelyn maintained many lasting friendships with the members of Hickory Grove Church of Bucklesberry, where she was an active member for all of her adult life.

A service of love and remembrance will be held by the graveside at Fairview Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 30, 2024 with Rev. Robert Flynn officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Libby Smith and husband, Roy; son, Finley Sutton and wife, Robbie; grandson, McKeever Smith and wife, Megan; great-grandchildren, Bailey Smith and wife, Hannah, Cayden Smith, and Olivia Smith; great-great grandchild, Oaklynn Smith; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hickory Grove Church of Bucklesberry, c/o Stanley Sutton, 1832 Sutton Shortcut Road, La Grange, NC 28551. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.