Freda Sutton

Obituary



Freda Bell Sutton, age 95, of Sylvan Grove, Kansas was born on June 21st, 1926 in Liberal Kansas to James M. Lewis and Jesse E. (Cone) Lewis. She was number 8 in line of 10 children and by the time she was born her parents were letting the older siblings name the younger ones, one of her older brothers happened to have a girlfriend named Freda. She was the first to be born in a hospital because she was born near wheat harvest and her farmer father didnt have time to tend to her mother.

She grew up on a farm in the Oklahoma panhandle, in the Baker community on land that had been in the Lewis family. She lived in that home until she married then returned to it later to raise her family there for a time. When she was 4 years old, she wanted to go to town with her dad, but he said no. Determined to go anyway, she squatted on her knees on the running boards of his 1928 Nash and rode 20 miles to Liberal because she was wanting new shoes and some candy. She did get candy, a dad that collapsed and had to go to the hospital and a headline in the Wichita Beacon Newspaper.

On July 4, 1943 she told her parents she was going to a rodeo but instead eloped to Tucumcari, New Mexico to marry the love of her life, Robert Lee Sutton. He passed away on October 1st, 2001 after 58 years of marriage. This union was blessed with 3 children: Geraldine (Delvin-deceased) Simmons; Margaret (Jerry) Barlow; Lonnie Sutton. One of her greatest joys was her family especially her 7 grandchildren: Tamie Simmons-deceased; Barry (Leslie) Barlow; Stacey (Debbie) Simmons; Jera Chovanec; Brady (Denise) Barlow; Shannon (Shawn) Henderson; Amanda (Corey) Uhl. Her pride and joy were her Great Grandchildren: Tyler (Caitlin) Simmons; Gabe Addington; Trever Simmons; Joey (Kaylie) Addington; Haupe (Derrick) Lanham; Caleb (Danica) Uhl; Ryanne Henderson; Preston (Corinne) Chovanec; Colten Uhl; Reese (Kayli) Chovanec; Bailey Barlow; Mackinzie Simmons; Cade Uhl; Bode Barlow; Elise Barlow; Rhett Barlow; Addison Barlow. She was also proud to have 11 GREAT-GREAT Grandchildren. She has one surviving sibling, Helen Parnell, her daily "words with friends" buddy on the internet.

Freda spent her life involved with her familys activities; she had even attended ballgames of some of the great-great grandchildren. She was her familys biggest supporter. She spent her life being a homemaker and there was never a white glove test that her house couldnt pass. She was an amazing cook and is famous in the family for her hot rolls, chicken and homemade noodles, enchiladas and chocolate pies. Freda would be known to spend the morning cooking for the harvest hands and the afternoon hauling grain to the elevator, working just as long and as hard as the men. She was the master of crossword puzzles and could beat anyone at the Wheel of Fortune. Freda had a green thumb unlike any other. She could grow flowers anywhere, in fact, one year a volunteer petunia grew in the crack of her driveway to prove that fact. She was the Queen of cards, and she taught her grandchildren and most of her great-grandchildren to play spades. She never sat still for very long (unless she had her ipad in hand) even well into her 90s. She had a quick wit and was still cracking jokes on the day she passed.

Freda leaves behind a legacy of love. She was the cornerstone of her family and gave an abundance of unconditional love. She has shaped many lives/families by her example and will be forever missed.

Graveside services will be held in Oklahoma at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Ellsworth County Medical Center, in care of the Funeral Chapel.

Arrangements in care of Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com

















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