October 1, 2021, 90, LaGrange –
Richard Elliott Sutton, 90, passed from the bonds of this earth to rejoice in the heavens on Friday, October 1, 2021 at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, surrounded by his family. Elliott was born in Greene County to the late Norman Richard Sutton and Eleanor Whitfield Sutton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Mitchell Barrow Sutton and his sister and brother-in-law, Anita and Jack Jones.
With a commitment to service above self, Elliott recognized the shared responsibility of all of us to promote goodwill and create lasting change. He proudly served his country in the United States Coast Guard. He continued serving friends, neighbors, and the surrounding community in his hometown of La Grange. For years, he was a member of the La Grange Town Council and served as Mayor Pro Tem. Believing in the vision and mission of Rotary International, Elliott was a member of the LaGrange Rotary Club, always working to better his community and our world. Elliott also volunteered at Wayne Memorial Hospital for many years where he enjoyed meeting people while assisting in transporting families to the entrance of the hospital.
Elliott worked his entire career in the La Grange community, selling fertilizer to the area farmers and running the mill just outside of town for Murphy Farms. Farmers throughout the area looked forward to talking with him as they brought in their harvest from season to season. Always sincere and always friendly, his personality established many lasting relationships with friends and neighbors.
Nothing held more prominence in Elliott’s life than the love and care for his family. He took an interest in the life of each of them, and their love for him was a mere reflection of the affection they received from him.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange, followed by a service to celebrate Elliott’s life at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel. Interment will be on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. in Fairview Cemetery with military honors.
Elliott is survived by his children, Hope Sutton Schaefer and Amy Sutton Pierce and husband, Freddie; grandchildren, Lindley Pierce Schultze and husband, Patrick, Anna Pierce Dean and husband, Hunter, Corbett Alexander Schaefer; great-grandson, Maxton Elliott Schultze; along with several nieces and nephews whom he loved very much.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Elliott’s memory to the Athletic Department at Wayne Christian School, 1201 Patetown Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530 (https://waynechristian.org/). Arrangements entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
