Mother Serena Sutton, at the age of 103, went home to be with the Lord on April 12, 2021.  She was born January 2, 1918, to John and Naomi (Rice) Jackson in Avalon, Virginia.  She had older siblings: sisters, Elizabeth and Ludlow, and brother, Loren.

Young Serena acquired a love of books, and a desire to learn. It didn’t take long before teachers discovered she was gifted scholastically. Serena’s parents were encouraged to allow her to leave her rural home and move to nearby Baltimore to take full advantage of her high aptitude and extraordinary learning skills.

Her Aunt Mary opened her home in Baltimore, allowing Serena to continue her studies at Dunbar Junior High School.  She excelled, graduating with honors and received a pearl necklace as a special gift. Serena continued her studies at the prestigious Frederick Douglas High School, best known as the alma mater of the late great Cab Calloway.  Serena excelled, graduating among the top three in her high school graduating class.  Her scholastic achievements opened doors for her to become the first person in her family to attend college.  She entered Bowie State University with an interest in becoming a teacher.

During her time at the University, a handsome young man named George Sutton, who was driving past the University, spotted her standing in the rain at a bus stop with books in her hands.  When the traffic light turned green, George drove past the bus stop, only to turn his car around to go back to find the young Serena, but she had already jumped on the bus.  It took George more than three weeks driving back to the same traffic light in an attempt to see the young girl who caught his eye. When they finally met, it was love at first sight, and it didn’t take long before they became husband and wife.  The young couple decided to leave Baltimore and relocate to Akron, Ohio to build a new life together.

During their early days, George was a bass player and became a member of a local jazz band.  He was an employee at Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.

In 1945, their first daughter, Nina, was born and their family continued to grow with the birth of their baby daughter, April.  It was during this time that Serena and her husband got saved and joined Church of God Militant Pillar and Ground of the Truth and raised their two daughters in the church with a strict upbringing.

Serena’s compassionate heart propelled her to open her house, becoming an extended Mother to niece, Jackie and raising daughters, Pamela Golden and Yvette (Elmer) Mahoney.

Mother Sutton stressed the importance of keeping God first, family second, and education third.  Tuesdays were devoted to Bible study, Thursdays to Prayer service and Sundays to church services, which were the top priority. Her leadership as the Head of the Nurses Guild at her church inspired many people to give more attention to their health and well-being.

Mother Sutton became the first African American Intensive Care Nurse at St. Thomas Hospital (now Summa), and she retired in 1986.  Her community service in the Akron/Cleveland area helped strengthen initiatives and organizations that championed healthcare policies, education advancement, and voter registration–all of which she was actively a part of. She became a member of the South Akron Council of Block Clubs, and supported the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s Gospel Meets Symphony. She was a long standing volunteer for the Akron Society of the Blind (now Vision Support Services).

Never allowing age to stop her zest for life, she entered the Senior Citizens Olympics in her 80’s, and won 3 medals, becoming the second fastest sprinter in her age category, losing out only to a fellow male contestant.  Her determination to participate wearing a respectable Christian skirt and stockings didn’t stop her from taking home Senior Olympic Medals around her neck. In addition, it may not surprise you that she continued to wear high heel shoes into her early 90’s and could out walk many people with her fast pace movement.

She supported humanitarian causes, and sent money to Haiti for people who needed food and medical emergency aid during the 1993 crisis.

Mother Sutton became Dean of Registrar at Berean Bible College Institute, completing a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree and also receiving an Honorary Doctorate Degree. In 2003, she was invited back to Bowie State University to participate in the 50^th Anniversary ceremony of her graduating class of 1943.  Only 10 living members were still alive from her college class, all of whom received a standing ovation at the event.

She was a world traveler, visiting historic sites in Paris, England, Greece, Turkey, Israel, and even rode a camel in Egypt after visiting the pyramids.  But her biggest traveling desire was to visit the Holy Land; and yes, her dream came true, when she was baptized in the River of Jordan.

When Barak Obama won the election as the First African American President in American History, Mother Sutton was determined to attend the inauguration ceremony in Washington D.C.  She was escorted to a special seating section up front for seniors who traveled a long distance to witness the historical event.

Mother Sutton became known for her scholarly approach towards the Bible; a Christian woman dedicated to God, a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great, great grandmother.  Her pineapple upside-down pound cake was a family favorite, and jello for her grandkids was a special treat. Her husband described her as the “ideal wife and mother.”

She was full of adventure, curiosity and compassion, but it was her life example as a faithful servant to Christ, and her walk with God that people will remember the most about this remarkable gifted woman.  Her favorite saying was, “I Won’t Complain.”

She was preceded in death by her husband, George; daughter, Nina Graham; son-in-law, William “Bill” Graham; and siblings, Loren, Ludlow and Elizabeth.

She is survived by her daughter, April; granddaughter, Tiffany (Johnathan) Edwards; grandson, William Christopher George Andrew (Shamikca) Graham Jr.; great grandchildren, Graham Jackson Edwards, Jesselle Blanchette Edwards and Savannah Graham; extended daughters, Pamela Golden and Yvette (Elmer “Mo”) Mahoney; sister-in-law, Lois Padgett; special nieces, Jacqueline Johnson, Rosemarie Johnson, Joanie, MaryEllen and Nichele, Karol and Leslie Mason.