Martha Mae York Sutton

Martha Mae York Sutton, 84 of Desha, AR died October 21, 2020, in Batesville. Martha was born on January 6, 1936 in Owl Hollow in Stone County to James William York and Ethel Martin York. She was a homemaker and a member of the Marcella Church of Christ.

Martha was at her happiest surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, laughing and telling stories. She loved music and dancing and never missed an opportunity to travel with her sisters. She was an avid reader and was never far from a Louis L’Amour western. She had a servant’s heart and never failed to help those in need. Her door was always open and her table always full. “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:29-31

She is preceded in death by her husband of 45 years Don Sutton; her parents, James William and Ethel York; her daughter, Sandra Sutton Smith; her son, Randall Sutton; her brother, Charles York; and sisters, Margaret Cannon, Marie Stair, Anna Allgood, and Jean Pruitt.

Survivors include her son Rocky Sutton (Laura) of Batesville; her daughters, Cassy Sutton Murray and Rhonda Sutton Taylor (Wesley) of Desha; her grandchildren, Rebekah Taylor, Jessica Sutton, Halli Taylor Walls (Corey), Emily Sutton Fike (Tad), and William Sutton; her great-grandchildren, Darcy Taylor, Jett Fike, and Lennon Fike; her sisters, Dorothy York King (Chester), and Shirley York West (John Elgin); along with many nephews, nieces, and a host of relatives and friends.

A graveside service, officiated by Larry Sellars, will be held at York Cemetery on Monday, October 26, 2020 at 10 a.m. COVID-19 precautions will be in place, and a mask must be worn.

Pallbearers are William Sutton, Tad Fike, Corey Walls, Mel West, Johnny West, Walt Pruitt, and Wes Pruitt.

Honorary pallbearers are Wesley Taylor, Chester King, John Elgin West, Finis Doolin, Johnny Sutton, Billy Sutton, Billy McCluskey, and Eddie Bartley.

Special thanks to Jennifer Blaney, staff at the Southside WRMC Complex, Dr. Homer Brooks, and special friends and family, Pat Sutton, Cecilia Lumpkin, Finis Doolin, Ava Lee Jefferson, Geraldine Copeland, the late Peggy Grimes, as well as the Desha VFW Friday Family Night patrons.

In lieu of flowers or food, those wishing to honor Martha’s memory with a gift are asked to make a contribution in her name to The York Cemetery: PO Box 74, Pleasant Grove, AR 72567 or the Ben 4-H Club, 155 York Road, Drasco, AR 72530.

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