John Norman Sutton

John Norman Sutton, 73, of Bluff City, TN (formerly of Morganton, NC) passed through the veil to his heavenly home on February 21, 2022. Born August 1, 1948, in Morganton, NC, he was the son of the late Jesse Norman Sutton and Ruby Whaley Sutton. He was a 1966 graduate of Oak Hill High School, 1970 graduate of NC State University, and 8-year veteran of the US Army Reserves. He was the honor graduate of Drill Sergeant Training Academy class of 1973 in Fort Jackson, SC.

John is survived by his wife of 49 years, Revonda Lail Sutton of Bluff City, TN; his daughter Kelly Sutton Blaine and her husband Clint of Bluff City, TN; granddaughter Jayde Sutton Jones and husband, Blake of Jackson’s Gap, AL; Chad Sutton of Mena AR; Erika, Kail, Jackson and McKinley (Mack) Blaine of Bluff City, TN; great-great-grandchildren Bentley, Axel, and Ryder Jones; his sister Jeannie Sutton Snipes and his best friend and brother-in-law Turner of Morganton, NC; his niece Minthie Snipes Harrison and her husband Anthony; his niece Sarah Snipes Whitley and husband Jacob; and his great nieces and nephews, Conroy and Callie Harrison, and Cherish and Lakelynne Whitley. He is preceded in death by his son John Sutton, II.

John was a born leader, and like all great leaders he led from the front through service, example, and love. This was particularly evident in his 30+ years of service as a Bishop and Branch President, and in Stake leadership positions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a lay minister where his love, loving counsel, encouragement, and guidance with those he shepherded is legendary. He also loved to serve his fellowman no matter race, religion, or creed and was the first to show up to help no matter the circumstance. His heart was genuinely full of love for other people, and his gift of lifting souls and “Ministering to the One,” changed lives making a person feel seen, safe, and loved. He made you feel like you could do or overcome anything. He is best known for his hugs and wanting to hear your “stories.”

John was also born an engineer, which he honed by degree, and practiced every day of his life by the things he built, created, and invented. His family is confident that he could build or fix anything. He was an avid hunter of Native American artifacts, fossils, shark teeth and almost any other kind of rock. If you broke open his head, rocks would fall out.

John retired from Great Lakes Carbon Corporation after 30 years working in Morganton, NC; Ozark, AR; Hickman, KY; and Charlotte, NC corporate office. He then retired from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after 10 years as Physical Facilities Director over all LDS church buildings in Alabama, including the Birmingham Temple. John loved exploring and going on adventures, whether it was just going up the river, or driving the entire length of Natchez Trace. He loved growing things and working outdoors, and most of all working in his shop “piddling.” He loved fishing and was happy to be living on the Holston where he could fish for trout anytime he wanted. He loved his beard and his beard braids, and his family loved his sense of humor and playfulness.

His profoundly deep love for his sweet wife and his family, his strength of character and steadiness, his integrity, and his indomitable spirit have shored up, changed and made this world a better place one heart at a time.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.