February 4, 2021, 94, Bucklesberry –
Frances Burke Sutton, 94, was welcomed into the loving and gracious arms of Jesus early Thursday morning, February 4, 2021. Frances was born in La Grange to the late Cecil Raymond Burke, Sr. and Selma Rouse Burke on April 27, 1926.
Frances had a natural knack for numbers. With a great mind and strong work ethic, she served her customers well for 35 years, retiring as the senior teller for Wachovia Bank and Trust Company in La Grange.
With tremendous love for her family, Frances devoted her time and attention to their every need. She constantly pushed her children and grandchildren to do their best, praying for their success in whatever they hoped to accomplish. As Grandma, she was well-skilled at doting on and spoiling her grands. If there was anything she could do for them, you could rest assured that she would do it. Nothing compared to her hugs, attention, and interaction with each of them.
Fond memories of meals with Frances envelope her family’s memories. Her weekly preparation of homemade spaghetti was a constant, and no one made better hot dog chili. From main dishes like rice-a-roni or shake n’ bake chops to side dishes like broccoli and cheese, Frances was sure to please the tastebuds of her family anytime she stepped into the kitchen. Sweets were on her list of specialties too, and she was known best for her haystacks and rice pudding. Of all the delicacies that could come from her kitchen, nothing suited Frances more than gnawing on a chicken leg and sipping on some sweet tea.
With a generous spirit, Frances was always interested in helping those in need. She was truly the salt of the earth, and loved everyone she came in contact with. Possessing a strong will and a determined mind, Frances would readily offer her opinion. She didn’t mind speaking up at all, and if you said something with which she didn’t agree, she might just tell you that “you have no more sense than that tree.”
A love for her Lord was first and foremost in Frances’s life. As a long-time member of La Grange First Missionary Baptist Church, Frances served her Lord and her church in multiple ways, including singing in the choir and serving as the Sunday School director for many years.
Whether as an offering to a friend, family, or church member, Frances believed in the art of hand-written notes, offering thanks, appreciation, or concern to those who needed it most. This humble act was of great value to Frances, and she instilled this trait into her girls as well.
Always ready to go, Frances looked forward to any offer to go to the beach. All you had to do was to ask, and she’d pack her bag and be ready. Never one to be late, you could depend on her to be on time and prepared.
From playing basketball with her siblings as a child to being a basketball star in high school, Frances’s love of the sport continued to blossom throughout her life. The best team in the world was her Duke Blue Devils, and she nearly worshiped the ground “Coach K” walked on. A loud and proud cheerleader for her favorite team, she could talk sports with anybody any time. However, you best watch out if you riled her up by mentioning the Tar Heels.
A service to celebrate and remember Frances’s life will be held by the graveside at Fairview Cemetery on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastors Brad Mitchell and John Wiggins officiating.
Frances is survived by her daughters, Brenda Sasser, and Pat Beaulieu and husband, Serge; grandchildren, Melissa Gray and husband Les, and Michelle Gay and husband Aubrey; great-grandchildren, Devin, Everly, and Maebrey; sister, Hazel Adams; her canine companion Pearly; along with many nieces and nephews. Frances thought of Serge’s family as part of her own, and they include Christine Lester, Brooke and Joey Winters, and Layla and Justin Grindstaff and their children, Kash, Knox, Kruz, and Kage.
In addition to her parents, Frances was preceded in death by her husband, William Pickard “Billy” Sutton; siblings, Cecil Burke and Alston Burke; and a her dearly loved cat, Snowflake.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Frances’s caretakers: Loretta Morgan, Priscilla Johnson, Lois Russell, and H. Stewart. Many family members and friends also stepped up to offer assistance, and they are most appreciative of Grace Burke, Tammy Taylor, Dolores Pender, Dusk Stroud, Johnna Stroud, and Joan Faulkner. The Kindred at Home Agency, Home Life Care Agency, and Dr. Gary Heck along with their staffs were a tremendous asset and the family is most grateful for their assistance.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. Memorials to honor Frances’s life may be made to La Grange First Missionary Baptist Church, 201 N. Caswell Street, La Grange, NC 28551. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
