Geneva Lydia Rice Sutton, 85, of Tiger passed away with family by her side Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. She was born Oct. 6, 1932 in Dayton, Ohio to the late Millard Rice and Eva Gertrude Sexton Rice. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Juanita Broyles and Anetta Massey, brother Millard Rice Jr., husband of 26 years, Russell Ray Sutton, and infant son, Joel Grant. She worked with her husband in a family business, Sutton Oil Equipment Co., and later at Sayet Assoc. Pathologists Lab in Miami, Florida, where they raised 6 children. She enjoyed using her hands and created beautiful gifts of clay and cloth. Her children delighted in her wit, her faith and her love.
She loved Jesus and was always ready to share the gospel with those around her. She read God’s Word daily until her eyesight failed, and then she listened to His Word on tape. She was always helping others and, until she couldn’t drive anymore, even delivered Meals on Wheels. She carried a legacy of faith in raising her family; a loving mother to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and their spouses. She thanked God for each of them and prayed for them daily by name; children, Debbie (Charlie) Bowman of Tiger,, Russ (Christine) Sutton of Alpharetta, Joy Hope of Norcross, Paul (Leanne) Sutton of Davie, Florida, Jack Sutton of Dania Beach, Florida and Jill (Gil) Jinorio of Hickory, North Carolina; grandchildren, Cheryl (John) Dillard, Richard Bowman, Angie (Corey) Glover, Adam (Misty) Sutton, Eric (Allison) Sutton, Rusty Sutton, Jon (Jenn) Hope, Jennifer (Jeff) Lockerman, Geoffrey & Michael Sutton, Kimberly (Dave) Swanson and Jason (Shelly) Jinorio; great-grandchildren, Maya & Connor Dillard, Britton & Hayden Glover, Sophia “Gracie” & Eli Sutton, , Carley & Collin Sutton, Alexis Hope, Marley & Sammy Swanson, and Trey Weldon.
She is also survived by her sister, Marie McFarland and her brother and sister-in-law, Charles Matthew & Jean Rice, and many nieces and nephews in Florida, Georgia and Ohio.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017 at Beck Funeral Home in Clayton, with the Rev. Jeremy Noffsinger officiating.