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TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF QUEEN ESTHER SUTTON AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Queen Esther Sutton Sunday, June 26, 2022; and
Whereas, a native of Gaston, Mrs. Sutton was born to parents Annie Elizabeth McKnight and Walter Dibble. She was raised in a God-fearing home and was sent to work at age ten, working in the house of the Mack family. When she was not working, she attended the Athens School, where she learned reading and arithmetic; and
Whereas, Mrs. Sutton began her career as a food service operator with Lexington School District 2, where she worked as the pastry specialist; and
Whereas, like her namesake, Queen Esther, Mrs. Sutton was favored and promoted in her work. She helped provide Gaston's Little Zion Church's kitchen with commercial cooking equipment that served bishops, pasters, community leaders, and the people of God for over forty years; and
Whereas, after ending her tenure at Brooklyn Cayce High School and Cyril B Busbee Middle School, Mrs. Sutton retired after working for twenty-five years; and
Whereas, a civic leader, Mrs. Sutton served on the Swansea area NAACP during its infancy. She also served as a voting precinct volunteer for over thirty years and six presidential elections. She is also known for organizing Disney World trips through Little Zion Church for children who could not otherwise afford a summer vacation; and
Whereas, a devout Christian, Mrs. Sutton is a member of Little Zion Free Baptist Holiness Church, where she has served as the Church Clerk Emeritus for over sixty years and as an ordained deacon for thirty years. She has served as a member of the Mothers Board, as Kitchen Chairlady, Floral Décor Chairlady, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, and as Mission President; and
Whereas, Mrs. Sutton led a campaign in the early 1960s to pay off the mortgage of the struggling yet growing Little Zion Church. Under the pastorate of Reverend Frazier, the deacons and saints of Little Zion joined together in unity. Their rally raised above the amount that was needed to pay off the debt of the church; and
Whereas, Mrs. Sutton leaves to cherish her memory four children, nine grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, three great great-grandchildren, four sisters, one brother-in-law, one aunt, and a host of extended family and friends. She will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the passing of Queen Esther Sutton and extend the deepest sympathy to her family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Queen Esther Sutton.
This web page was last updated on June 28, 2022 at 1:17 PM