Louis Howard Sutton

Louis Howard Sutton was born May 28, 1930 in Edwardsville, Northumberland County, VA. He was the tenth of eleven children born to the late Berkley Mack Sutton Sr. and his wife, the late Eva Crockett Sutton. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church, Reedville, VA, at Taylor's Beach on the Chesapeake Bay. The church was under the pastorship of Rev. Dr. Henry M. Ruffin, where Louis was a faithful member as a youth. Louis was educated in the Northumberland County Public Schools and graduated from Julius Rosenwald High School in Reedville, VA, where he met his future wife. As a teenager, Louis worked for his father as a cook's assistant on a fishing boat. He also worked in the canning factories in Virginia. He spent his summers in Baltimore, working as a longshoreman on the waterfront with his brothers-in-law the late Mervin "Panny" Crockett and the late Carroll Toulson. After graduating from high school, Louis worked at Reads Drugstore. Then in 1951, he was drafted by the United States Marine Corps and saw action during the Korean War. During his service, Corporal Sutton received the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Stars, the National Defense Service Medal and the United Nations Medal and Ribbon. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, Corporal Louis Sutton returned to Edwardsville. A few months later, Louis moved to Baltimore permanently to work for the Martin Company and later for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation in Sparrows Point. Early on, he witnessed rampant racism and unfair practices against black workers. Despite this practice, he faithfully performed his duties as a mechanic to the highest degree. His essential duty was maintaining the machines that made iron into steel in optimum condition. On September 16, 1954, Louis married the love of his life, Elizabeth Annie Nickens in Baltimore, MD. From their union five children were born: Karen E. Sutton, Don X. Sutton, Mark B. Sutton (deceased), W. Renea' Sutton, and Dana A. Sutton. Louis and Annie raised their children to study hard and be self-sufficient. In 1979, Louis was overjoyed when his only grandchild, Tiana Nickkiya Renea' Camper was born. Louis retired from Bethlehem Steel after working for 42 years and nine months. Early in his retirement, Louis spent his days shopping for groceries, conversing with neighbors and friends, and weather permitting, sitting in his "man cave" (his car) listening to jazz music and drinking Pepsi, until his health began to fail. Louis was especially fond of Jimmy Smith, the Father of Acid Jazz, and a pioneer player of the Hammond B-3 organ. Louis also loved watching westerns and spent his final days listening to jazz, spending time with Annie and talking about his great-grandchildren. Louis had a wonderful sense of humor and was well versed in local and national politics. He was a God-fearing man who was committed to his family. Preceding Louis in death are: his parents, Berkley Mack Sutton Sr. and Eva Crockett Sutton; one son, Mark B. Sutton; four sisters, unnamed girl (stillborn), Julia Irene Sutton Ross, Edith Rae Sutton Jones Duff Oxford, Mary Lena Sutton Toulson; four brothers, unnamed boy (stillborn), James Amos Sutton, Berkley Mack Sutton Jr. and Lawrence “Didi” Edgar Sutton; brothers-in-law Willie Ross, William Carol Toulson Sr., Mervin Crockett, Aaron Noel, Elzie Leroy Nickens Sr., Purcell Elwood Carter Sr., Savington William Lombard Nickens, Noah Curry, Richard Samuel Nickens Sr., and four sisters-in-law Elinora Tilley Sutton, Novella Butler Sutton, Emmarie Pryor Nickens and Shirley Pollard Nickens. After a full life and a long illness, at home on January 6, 2015, Louis quietly transitioned to Eternal Life. To cherish his memory, Louis leaves: his loving wife Elizabeth Annie; two daughters, Karen Elizabeth Sutton of Baltimore, MD and Wanda Renea Sutton Camper (Nixon) of Hinesville, GA; two sons, Don Xavier Sutton (friend, Alice Williams), and Dana Andre Sutton, of Baltimore, MD; one granddaughter, Tiana Nickkiya Renea Camper Patterson (Keith); and four great-grandchildren, Tobias Antwaunn Rasheim, Angelina Zahara Jalene, Maya Kaitlyn Marie, and Katherine Chrisette Badriya Patterson, all of Augusta, GA.; one brother, William Shakespeare Sutton (Mildred) and one sister, Ethel Louise Sutton Crockett Noel, both of Edwardsville, VA.; four sisters-in-law: Mildred Williams Sutton, Muriel Gertrude Nickens Carter, Francis Nickens Stepter (William Sr.), Sarah Nickens Curry, Bessie Turner Nickens; one brother-in-law Luther Nickens of Baltimore, MD; lifelong friends Ralph Reese and Eugene McNeil Sr., and a host of family, friends, and neighbors.

Tributes

Louis Howard Sutton

May 28, 1930 - January 6, 2015