May 20, 2025, 89, Goldsboro —
Margaret Annette Sutton, of the Suttontown community, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, May 20, 2025, at Mary Gran Nursing Home in Clinton.
Born February 14, 1936,in Wayne County to the late Granger and Marguerite Warren Harrell, Annette is survived by her two daughters, Teresa Sutton Bass and husband Kenny of Suttontown, Melinda Sutton Thompson and husband Robbie of Suttontown, her son, Kent Sutton of Clinton and “special daughter,” Martine Betti of Raleigh.
Additionally, grandchildren: Jennifer B. Oldham and husband Will of Cary, Mary T. Smith and husband Mike of Asheboro, Emily Sutton of Atlanta, Anna Sutton of Greenville, Chris Bass of Newton Grove, and great-granddaughter Ava Oldham of Cary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Kaye Sutton, her parents, Granger and Marguerite Warren Harrell, and her sister Marie Harrell.
Born during the Great Depression, Annette was raised as a “Roosevelt Democrat,” moving with her parents wherever they could find work. As a child she lived and attended grade schools in Mount Olive, NC, Baltimore, MD, Portsmouth, VA. and Miami, FL; however, it was Mount Olive where she called home, as she found stability by residing with her grandparents Marion and Venie Warren most of her adolescent years.
While living in Mount Olive, Annette met the man who would soon become the love of her life – Donald Kaye Sutton, whom she married on Christmas Day in 1951. The honeymoon phase of their marriage was quickly shortened, as Donald Kaye was drafted into the Korean War in 1952, serving two years before returning home. Upon his return, he and Annette began to make a life for themselves in Suttontown.
While Donald Kaye worked in Suttontown, Annette opened a dress shop in Mount Olive until the arrival of their first born, Teresa. Melinda came along four years later, and then Kent four years after that. Once all of the children were school age, Annette returned to work, working at Burlington Industries in Mount Olive until the late ’80’s.
In the early 90’s, Annette began working along side Donald Kaye at Sutton Insurance Agency. Upon his death in 1994, she oversaw the agency, along with her son Kent, until 2007.
Upon her retirement, Annette found joy in being a homemaker, caring for her sister, Marie, and enjoying time with her five grandchildren. One of her favorite pastimes was mowing the lawn, where she said she found ‘peace and solitude’ while on the mower.
During her later years, Annette faced many challenges with her health, but her unwavering faith in God helped her to persevere and fight the good fight. With the help of her children, and caretakers Judy Jackson and Marie Warren, she resided at her home until early 2025. After sustaining a fall and impending surgery, her residence became the Mary Gran Nursing Home until her death on Tuesday.
Annette was a kind, loving soul, who believed in helping others, especially those who were less fortunate. Her upbringing during the aftermath of the Great Depression and World War II, stamped her life forever, as she never wavered in lending a helping hand to those in need. Her kind heart, and always finding the good in others, will forever be remembered.
She was an eternal optimist, whose favorite saying ‘when one door closes, another one opens’ epitomized her outlook on life. Now God’s door has opened for her, where she’s reunited with the love of her life, Donald Kaye and sister, Marie.
The family would like to thank Annette’s caregivers for their love, friendship and assistance during her illness – especially Judy Jackson, Marie Warren and the staff at Mary Gran Nursing Home – as their faithful care, dedication and love for Annette will never be forgotten.
A service to celebrate Annette’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home Chapel in Goldsboro, with Rev. Keith Sexton and Mr. Kenny Bass presiding. The family will greet friends from 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm at the funeral home prior to the service. A private interment will follow in Wayne Memorial Park on Saturday morning.
Flowers are welcome, and memorials may be made to the North Carolina United Methodist Conference or Goshen Methodist Church.
Shumate-Faulk is honored to be serving the Sutton family online condolences may be directed to the family at www.shumate-faulk.com
