Obituary of Aleta Sutherland

ALETA CATRON SUTHERLAND, age 54, died Monday, October 12, 2009 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Cookeville, Tennessee after a long illness. She carried her battle with cancer with great dignity and courage until her vibrant life could fight no more and was called home to her Heavenly Father. Her final days were spent surrounded by her very loving and caring husband, her family and friends of whom she had touched in many small ways. She was and is a true example to all of us of the meaning of Christ-like love. Her concerns were always directed toward others and nothing gave her greater joy than to be of service to others. She was a graduate of Marion Senior High, Emory & Henry College, and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville where she obtained her Master's Degree. Her career spanned several appointments in the United Methodist Church, which included Director of Child, Adult and Family Ministries at First United Methodist Church, Huntsville, Alabama, and Director Christian Education at Bartlett United Methodist Church, Bartlett, Tennessee. In her most recent appointment, Mrs. Sutherland was the Minister of Christian Education of the First United Methodist Church, Cookeville, Tennessee. While at First United Methodist, Aleta was known for her commitment and dedication to furthering Christian education for all ages. She was preceded in death by her Father Edward F. Catron. Survivors include her husband of four years, James M. Sutherland of Cookeville, Tennessee, two stepsons, Timothy J. Sutherland of Columbia, SC and Jeremy R. Sutherland of Aiken, SC. Mother, Louise Adams Catron of Marion, Virginia, One Brother and sister-in-law, Ernie and Linda Catron of Chilhowie, Virginia. One nephew, Jonathan Catron of Chilhowie, mother-in-law, Jean Sutherland of Bristol, Virginia, One Brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Peggy Sutherland of Bristol, Virginia. Graveside Services will be held Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. EST at Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion, Virginia with the Rev. David Lewis officiating. A Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Sutherland will be held On Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. CST at First United Methodist Church, Cookeville, Tennessee with the Rev. Max Mayo officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 115 S. Church St., Marion, Virginia 24354 or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel Marion, Virginia. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Sutherland Family.