Mr. Clyde Avery Sutton, Sr.

Mr. Clyde Avery Sutton

Mr. Clyde Avery Sutton died on January 26, 2018. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, 80 Walnut St., SW, with Reverend Dr. Richard D. Wills, Sr., pastor, officiating. Interment, Westview Cemetery.  Mr. Sutton will be placed in state at the church at 10 a.m.  Family and friends are requested to assemble at the church at 10:30 a.m.

Clyde Avery Sutton, Sr., 90, was the fourth child born to Ernest Lee and Nonnie Winfrey Sutton on October 21,1927 in Atlanta, Georgia.  Clyde was reared in a religious family that was active in their membership at Atlanta's Historic Friendship Baptist Church, where he was a faithful member until his health declined.  He grew up in the Hunter Street community in a climate where many black businesses thrived.  As a boy, he was known for his expert roller skating acumen, performing varied stunts along with his childhood friend Ralph Phillips.   They amazed the neighborhood kids around the Drummond and Jeptha Streets area.  Later in life, he would amaze his grandkids and onlooking adults with his skating expertise. 

Clyde's extensive work career began as a small child when he started throwing morning newspapers with his big brother Roswell.  Clyde was so small that he could only carry one newspaper at a time!  While he consistently slowed down Roswell on his route, he was bitten by the employment bug.  As he grew, his mother encouraged him to go out and find work, and thus he offered transporting groceries home for many neighborhood ladies.  As an adult, he worked for Crayton Sausage, Fuller Products, Rich's Department Store, University Plaza apartments and eventually Cox Enterprises.  He worked and then retired from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after 31 years and received a wonderful Corporate retirement celebration. 

While working at the AJC, he forged a pathway as an entrepreneur.  Clyde owned and operated several retail stores, namely Wynn Paint Store, Sutton Supply Mart (Hardware and Lumber Supply), Sutton's Cascade Hardware, Sutton's Florist and Gifts, Peter's Hardware and Sutton's Ace Hardware.  For 15 years, while simultaneously operating his Atlanta hardware businesses, Clyde operated the hardware and lumber business at Fort Campbell Military Base in Kentucky. 

Clyde's education began in the neighborhood public school system and eventually matriculated at Booker T. Washington High School.  In 1946 he joined the military serving in the U. S. Coast Guard, and was awarded a WWII Medal Of Honor.  After Clyde's Honorable discharge, he earned his high school diploma and entered Morehouse College, and earned a dual degree in Business and Economics. He is a proud graduate of the Morehouse College Class of 1952. 

As an avocation, Clyde developed a love for coin collecting.  This endeavor led to his joining the Numismatic Association where he was honored for 50 years of membership several years ago.  In addition, he joined the brotherhood of Frontiers International which gives service to the less fortunate. 

While in college, Clyde was smitten by a very poised and polished songbird named Evelyn Cooke.Their dating led to matrimony on June 14, 1953.  As Ephesians 5:25 admonishes husbands to love their wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it, Clyde's love for Evelyn was apparent throughout her life.  He was a very loving and dutiful husband, even when her health declined, constantly providing for her every need until she embarked onto the heavenly shores. 

Clyde also gave himself for his children:  Roswell Matthew, Cheryl Yvonne, Clyde Avery,Jr. and Terri Charisse.  Through his multifaceted work career, he was a dedicated provider for his family.  He consistently provided a family home, supported their educational opportunities and their progressive lives for decades.  It thrilled him to help and inspire his grandchildren at many junctures in their lives as well. 

Clyde Sutton,Sr. was always an energetic industrious and jovial individual who sought to squeeze the maximum use out of life.  He possessed a hilarious sense of humor!  He maintained an upbeat attitude throughout his life.  As life progressed, he grew in wisdom and in his faith in God to see him through the smooth and rough terrain of life. 

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 57 years Mrs. Evelyn Cooke Sutton, his namesake Mr. Clyde A. Sutton, Jr., his four siblings Mr. Roswell O. Sutton (Lucille), Mrs. Cleo S. Southall (Lawrence), Miss Ernestine Sutton and Mr. Alvin W. Sutton, as well as a nephew, Mr. Ronald E. Tillman, Sr.  His legacy is left to his son Mr. Roswell M. Sutton (Stephanie), his daughters Mrs. Cheryl S. Francis(Wallace) and Mrs.Terri C. Vinson, and former daughter-in-law Mrs. Eleanor B. Sutton. 

His memory is cherished by 16 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 4 grand sons-in-law, 1 niece, 3 nephews, a cherished Godchild, Ms. Lisa C. Hughes, a beloved cousin, Mrs. Margaret Sutton Enoch, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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