It's with love and sorrow that the family of Faye Haveland Shumate Sutton announces her peaceful passing into the arms of the LORD on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at the age of 97.
Faye was born on May 17, 1926, in Mount Sidney, Virginia, the daughter of Madge and Marvin Shumate.
After Faye graduated from Mount Sidney High School in 1943, she began her career at Genesco in Verona, Virginia where she worked for more than thirty years.
Faye was passionate about serving her church, Fifth Street United Brethren in Staunton. She took great pleasure walking children from a local school to weekday religious activities. She formed a special lifelong bond with Mary Michael that continued until her death.
In 1941, at 15 years of age, Faye met Nelson Odie Sutton at the local skating rink. After marrying on April 27, 1946, Faye and Nelson went on to have four children, seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter, who was born this January, just before Faye's passing.
Faye was a friend to everyone that knew her. She had a kind, loving, quick-witted spirit and her family was blessed beyond measure to have called her their own. During her lifetime she was known by many names some of which were daughter, sister, wife, mom, friend, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, but her most treasured role and most beloved name was Grandma. Her family was the joy of her life and she lavishly poured out love in many ways. She loved cooking delicious meals, sending cards expressing love and care, hosting family for every holiday and praying faithfully for anyone in need. The matriarch and center of our family, Faye was the most humble person we ever knew. Her strength and perseverance throughout her life, even up until her last days were unmatched.
She is survived by her daughters, Donna Shiflet (Don), Theresa Lanier (Mike) and Cynthia Wright (Curtis); grandchildren, Tony Miller (Misty), Kim Rousseau (John), Ashley Shiflet, Amy Wilkinson (Brad), Sara Nguyen (Nicholas) and Crissy Gentry (Jason); great grandchildren, Alex Miller, Regan Rousseau, Brittany St. Lawrence (Jonathan), Jack Rousseau, Grant Rousseau, Kayla Nguyen, Nathan Sutton, Rylan Miller, Maya Nguyen, Sydney Sutton, Cooper Wilkinson and Brynn Gentry, and her first great-great grandchild, Delainey Paige St. Lawrence; she is also survived by Lynda and Amy Sutton.
In addition to her parents Faye was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson O. Sutton, Sr.; a son, Nelson O. Sutton, Jr; and a grandson, Nelson O. Sutton III; her siblings; Elizabeth Simmons, Catherine Warren, Vera Layman and Marvin Shumate Jr.
Faye moved to Bridgewater Retirement Community in 2009. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the staff of Bridgewater Retirement Community for all the care and love they showed over the last twenty months. We'd also like to give special recognition and gratitude to Betty Staubaus.
A private graveside service for the family will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Pallbearers will be Tony Miller, John Rousseau, Nicholas Nguyen, Brad Wilkinson, Grant Rousseau, Nathan Sutton, Rylan Miller and Cooper Wilkinson.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (1010 Ednam Center Suites 203 & 204, Charlottesville, VA. 22903) in honor of her husband, Nelson O. Sutton or the Bridgewater Retirement Community Foundation (302 N 2nd St, Bridgewater, VA. 22812).
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