Ann Rainey Love Suttle born December 02, 1940 in Meridian, MS to Isadore and Ruby Love died Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 12:15 a.m., but her legacy lives.
She opened her heart and home to all. Ann had a passion for learning, and a passion for teaching. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in History from Birmingham Southern College, and her Master’s degree in Education from the Citadel. Shortly after graduation from BSC she spent 3 years as a Methodist Missionary in Bolivia, and spent a life as a devoted member of the United Methodist Church. She left an impression on every person’s life with whom she met. She was a Pi Beta Phi, active in the DAR, a member of the Foley Book and Study Club, and avidly researched genealogy. If you gave her 5 minutes you may even learn you were related to her.
Everyone who knew her has an “Ann Suttle story” or 2, and they smile every time it is remembered. My father has been telling some of our favorites. As children we were reared of the generation where you respected your elders, and you responded with “ma’am” and “sir”. We wrote thank you letters, held doors open for women, said excuse me, and did not interrupt adults when they were talking. We were reared with spankings both in school AND at home. Spankings were a necessary evil that today are sources of humor. Mother meant we would be well behaved children even if it meant yanking us out of the car and beating us with a frisby. Yes – that’s another wonderful story my dad shares.
She was dedicated not only to our discipline, but also to our education. She read to us incessantly, rocked millions of miles in her rocking chair, and had thousands of songs she could sing from memory on cue. Her memory was almost photographic with an ability to recall names, events, and locations. If for a moment you thought she left an impression on you do not doubt for a second that you left an impression on her. Mother could travel the world, and in every country find someone she knew, someone who knew someone she knew, or someone with whom she was probably related.
My mother’s smile and laughter was infectious. She thrived on entertaining, and sought out ways to continually give to others. We frequently opened our home to military service individuals stationed away from their families on holidays. She volunteered with Ecumenical Ministries sharing her gift of being bilingual in order to help Spanish speaking families in need. She regailed University of West Florida Adult Continuing Education classes with stories about living life as a southerner. Because as you know – being southern is a lifestyle filled with colloquialisms and “southernisms” that’ll make you “bless your heart”.
She taught Spanish formally, but don’t dare make a grammatical error in English. She’ll call you out, and correct you on it in a heartbeat. She genuinely loved every single one of her friends. And with conviction passionately loved her husband – Billy Glenn Suttle of 50 years, married November 18, 1967, and each of her children – Ashton Bennett Suttle, Elizabeth Ruby Suttle, and Joseph Eugene Suttle. She is survived by her husband, children, and 6 grandchildren. Our lives will never be the same. And our lives are forever changed and better because of her. She will be dearly missed.
Visitation will begin at 11:00am until the Funeral Service at 12:00pm Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32504. A Graveside service to follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Posted in: Pensacola News Journal
Posted on: 2018-08-17
Link to original obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pensacolanewsjournal/obituary.aspx?n=ann-rainey-love-suttle&pid=189963638&fhid=6072