Marjorie Shirey Sutton, 93, went to meet her Heavenly Father Thursday, May 29, 2008 at her home in Glenaire Continuing Care Community in Cary, North Carolina. She had a long and full life.
"Tootsie" was born on February 16, 1915 in Bedias, Texas, the 3rd of seven siblings, and she grew up in nearby Anderson and Navasota. After sneaking off and marrying Jack, she lived briefly in Lake Charles, Louisiana and for 51 years in Beaumont, where Jack was an employee of Gulf States Utilities Co. In 1999 she moved to North Carolina to be close to her boys. Marjorie was a leader in her church communities all her adult life, first at Calvary Baptist, and then at Woodland Baptist in Beaumont. She was a long-time Sunday school teacher and served in many ways with the Women's Missionary Union and the Girls Auxiliary. In these roles she made lasting relationships with 3 generations of women and had a profound impact on many lives. Always generous, she continued to support numerous Christian missions' efforts throughout her life. An avid seamstress and craftswoman, the homes of her children and grandchildren are full of her handmade treasures, most notably afghans, quilts, and cross-stitched pictures.
Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband, C.P. "Jack" Shirey; her husband, Howard "Howdy" Sutton; her grandson, Paul Harrison; three sisters and a brother. She leaves to cherish fond memories of her full life her sons and daughters-in-law, Stewart and Marie Shirey of Boone, NC, and John and Kathleen Shirey of Apex, NC. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Stewart, Will, and George Shirey and Robin Huffstetler, and their families, including 7 children, Marjorie's great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother and sister, Billy Stewart and Emma G. Piepenbrok, and by a precious band of nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly.
A funeral service will be on Thursday, June 5, at 10:00 AM at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home, 1155 North 11th St, Beaumont, Texas. There will be a graveside service that afternoon at 4:00 PM at Oakland Cemetery in Navasota, Texas.
The family requests that donations in Marjorie's memory be made to House of Joy 2856 Greenbrook Drive, Wendell, NC 27591, or the charity of your choice. House of Joy is a principal in the operation of a clinic and other Christian outreach in Kinshasa, Congo.