Jenny Sutton

Eleanor Virginia "Jenny" Sutton, 86, of Monte Vista, CO and formerly of Cookeville, was born on August 2nd, 1935 to Jones and Susie Cox. She was the youngest of six children, Lawrence, Earl, Louise, Fred, Eva, and “Jenny” as she was known. She always had as smile on her face and big, excited, blue eyes. Many pictures showed her expressions of joy and always wanting to be in the middle of the fun. She grew up in a farm in Fall Branch, Tennessee. Her dad was a mail carrier and a dairy farmer. The old home place was an old white two story farm house with a swing on the front porch and a barn in the back. Jenny loved to cook, can, and sew. She went to college at ETSU for pursuing studies in home economics. She worked at a home extension agent for Yancey County and met Bert in 1958. They were married in 1960, and they started their life together in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. They began raising their family of three children, Anita, Sharon, and Clint. They lived in Western North Carolina until 1972 when Bert and Jenny felt the call to serve in foreign missions. Bert worked in agriculture and felt led to go into agriculture missions. They lived in Portugal for a year to learn the language, then moved to Angola, Africa. After a civil war broke out, they were forced to move to Southwest Africa then to Botswana. Jenny kept her joyful spirit despite living in the bush, in a trailer with no running water or electricity. She homeschooled her three children, helped out on tremendously on the farm, and taught the local women home economic skills. After four years in Africa and a year of furlough, Jenny and Bert moved their family to South Brazil, where they served as ranch and camp directors. Jenny spent time ministering to the elderly Latvian community in Palma, Brazil. They moved to Northern Brazil, 8 years later and worked for a disaster relief program called Living Water Project. They suffered a heartache when Clint was killed in a fatal car accident. God’s plan brought them back to Tennessee where Bert started the Boys Ranch in Millington as Director. They served there until retirement. At retirement, Jenny lovingly moved to Bert’s dream home in Monte Vista, Colorado. She loved welcoming friends and family from around the globe to their ranch in the San Luis valley. In 2012, Jenny suffered a debilitating stroke. From that time on, she was unable to speak and needed assistance with many aspects of daily function. Her loving husband Bert, poured out unconditional and sacrificial love for Jenny by caring for her every need. Despite the time and attention this level of care required, his love for Jenny only grew with every year that passed. While Jenny was unable speak for the last 10 years of life, her love for others and care spoke more than any words could say. Jenny passed away peacefully October 13, 2021. Survivors include her loving husband Bert C. Sutton of Monte Vista, CO; daughters Sharon (Jeff) Cibulka of Covington, TN; Anita (Johnny) Caradine of Millington, TN; grandchildren Benjamin Cibulka, Hannah (Bryce) Vigues both of Covington, TN; Brandon Caradine of Memphis, TN; Christen (Patrick) Hall, Lauren Caradine both of Knoxville, TN. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by son, Clint Sutton, and five brothers and sisters. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday October 23 at Crest Lawn Cemetery. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.