April 9, 2024, 91, Bucklesberry —

December 26, 1932 – April 9, 2024

Ruth Ellen Sutton Hooten, 91, was welcomed home on Tuesday morning, April 9, 2024. Delighting in the presence of her Lord, her joyous reunion was filled with many who finished their course before her. Born on December 26, 1932, Ruth Ellen was the youngest child of Wesley Bryan and Violet Ruth Sutton.

With a love for home, Ruth Ellen spent her entire ninety-one years on the same piece of land in the heart of Bucklesberry. Raised on the family farm in the house built by her grandparents, she relocated just one-tenth of a mile south when she married the love of her life, Chester. There, the two raised their family in a Christian home where the love of God and neighbor along with the value of hard work were paramount.

From sun up to sun down, Ruth Ellen was dedicated to her family and work on the farm. Maintaining her own garden, she would plant, weed, and harvest only to follow that work with cooking, canning, or freezing what she harvested. This was in addition to maintaining her home, caring for her children, and cooking three meals a day. When evening came, she was right out with the rest of the family pulling weeds, digging potatoes, or whatever was left to be done. As busy as she was, there was still time for cross stitch and crochet and an evening view of The Young and the Restless and Bold and the Beautiful on her VHS recordings.

Many can attest to the vast amount of delicious food that was created by the work of Ruth Ellen’s hands. Sunday lunch was an every week occurrence with a buffet of great magnitude. For a time, this meal was preceded by one on Saturday evening as another chance to gather her big family around the table. Dinner time in the summer was a meal just as big as Sundays, as Ruth Ellen prepared for all the hands working in tobacco. There’s no counting how many chocolate chip cookies, batches of fudge, or square-layered cakes were made in her kitchen. When someone passed away, Grandma was sure to visit the family with a freshly-made cake in hand. Shut-ins were often served a meal from her kitchen, as she always made enough to share with others.

A life of simple faith, Ruth Ellen started and ended her day in conversation with the Lord. The Upper Room or Our Daily Bread was read every morning, followed by reading a passage in the Bible. Every meal was started with returning thanks, and every evening she bowed on her knees to offer prayers of thanksgiving, pardon, and intercession. Going to church was a way of life, and she was present when the doors were opened for as long as she was able. Most notably, she cared for her neighbors and lived out the commandment of Jesus to love one another.

There is no recounting the numerous ways Ruth Ellen cared for her family. Every morning, she made breakfast for Chester and had his place all prepared. On Sunday, his clothes were ironed and during the week, they were laid out and ready. She raised her children and, when grandchildren came along, she became a second mother to them. Any care and compassion that she received from her family in her last years was simply a return of thanks for the countless ways she blessed them over the years. One of Ruth Ellen’s biggest wishes was to remain home for the duration of her life. The family is grateful that her wish was fulfilled and indebted to her caregivers who made sure her quality of life was superb: Debbie Anderson, Becky Croom, Kristi Easter, Angie Herring, Kim Langston, Karen Pridgen, Delores Stallings, and the late Loretta Morgan. More than caregivers, each became part of Ruth Ellen’s family.

A service of love and remembrance will be held at Hickory Grove Church of Bucklesberry at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, 2024 with Rev. Robert Flynn and Rev. Norma Roberts officiating. The family will receive friends in the hour prior to service in the Fellowship Hall. Committal will follow at the Sutton Family Cemetery on Sutton-Hooten Road.

Ruth Ellen leaves behind a family that loved her as much as she loved them. She is survived by her children, Phyllis Hooten Phillips and husband, Charles, Sandra Hooten Cromer, and Bryan Hooten and wife, Amy; seven grandchildren, Joshua Mewborn and wife, Kari, Jaimie Mewborn Kelly and husband, Jason, Jacob Mewborn and wife, Laura Beth, Timothy Fulcher and wife, Brooke, McKayla Hooten Harlos and husband, Josh, Lauren Hooten Hughes and husband, Chris, and Micah Hooten and wife, Emily; thirteen great-grandchildren, Jonah Mewborn, Drew Mewborn, Levi Mewborn, Chester Reid Fulcher, Ellen Mewborn, Addie Jo Fulcher, James Randolph Kelly, Todd Fulcher, Sarah Harlos, Sybil Ruth Mewborn, Oliver Hooten, Isaiah Harlos, and Anderson Hooten; long-time best friend, Evelyn Sutton; along with many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Ruth Ellen was embraced at the gates of Heaven by her husband of 69 years, Chester Hooten, daughter, Karen Sue Hooten Fulcher and husband, Barry; son-in-law, Dr. Bill Cromer; siblings, Blanche Whittington, Sue Faulkner, Billie McPherson, and Allen Sutton; and a special niece, Laura Ruth Polselli.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com.

Flowers are welcome, or memorials may be made to
Hickory Grove Church of Bucklesberry, c/o Stanley Sutton
1832 Sutton Shortcut Road
La Grange, NC 28551

Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.