Mrs. Ann Wheat Sutherlin
Remember

Mrs. Ann Wheat Sutherlin

  • April 18, 1929 - December 4, 2011
  • Greenville, South Carolina
Share This Obituary
Send Flowers
flowers logo

Flowers are messengers of hope when it's needed most.


Memories & Candles

“Courtney and Kerry, I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your grandmother and mother. What a wonderful life she had. I'm thinking about you...Read More » ”
1 of 20 | Posted by: Jody Wallace - Greenville, SC

“Dearest Gingi, you were such a caring, wonderful, and intellectual grandmother and will be greatly missed. We love you very much!! Love, Sean,...Read More » ”
2 of 20 | Posted by: Sean, Chrissi and Alayna Evans - MO

“7dec2011 brooklynNY Ms Ann Wheat Sutherlin, 18 April 1929 - 4 December 2011 Dearest Lee Anne, boys&Family, My sincere regrets regarding the...Read More » ”
3 of 20 | Posted by: harry edmund bolick - brooklyn, NY

“Ann was an avid supporter of school libraries in a time when our program needed that support to go to the next level. She took us on her strong...Read More » ”
4 of 20 | Posted by: Theresa Morelli - Greenville, SC

“Ann was the force behind locating the splendid new building that houses The Fina Arts Center on the campus of Wade Hampton High School. It was her...Read More » ”
5 of 20 | Posted by: Roy S. Fluhrer - Greenville, SC

“Dear Sutherlin Family, Ann was a wonderful neighbor and friend. She will be missed greatly. My prayers are with her family that God give you each...Read More » ”
6 of 20 | Posted by: Catherine Moody - Greenville, SC

“I am sorry to hear of Ann's death. My thoughts and prayers are with you. ”
7 of 20 | Posted by: Joan Sutherlin Boerner - Sherwood, AR

“Kerry and family, So sorry to read of your loss. She was a lovely, accomplished lady. Mary was so proud of her. Mary Worley ”
8 of 20 | Posted by: Mary Worley - North Little Rock, AR

“Mrs. Sutherlin was such an advocate for our schools. As a principal in her "area," i recognized her as a staunch supporter and believer in what...Read More » ”
9 of 20 | Posted by: Merry Cox - Greenville, SC

“What a special person who gave so much to others in the Greenville community. Praying for all family and friends. ”
10 of 20 | Posted by: Denise Wilson - Taylors, SC

“Ann was a lovely person. She was always there as a good neighbor. I will miss her pretty smile and warm hello. ”
11 of 20 | Posted by: Connie Tew - Greenville, SC

“Mrs. Sutherlin was a wonderful neighbor. She always had a kind word and a smile. She will be missed very much. May God bless you all. ”
12 of 20 | Posted by: Nancy Roddy - Greenville, SC

“While I was Library Media Coordinator for the schools, Ann was a great supporter of our library media centers and I knew that she was always there...Read More » ”
13 of 20 | Posted by: Anne Shaver - Greer, SC

“Dear Kerry and Lynn, I have very fond memories of my piano lessons with your Mother! I also remember seeing you girls coming in and out of the...Read More » ”
14 of 20 | Posted by: Beverly Webb Gammel - Crossett, AR

“Lee Anne, my family and I wanted to let you know that you and all of your family is in our prayers. Take care and God Bless ”
15 of 20 | Posted by: Kevin Kennedy - Greenville, SC

“Kerry and family...we are so sorry for your loss. Y'all are in our thoughts and prayers. ”
16 of 20 | Posted by: Bill & Jalane Kirkpatrick - Greer, SC

“Thinking of you during this time, we are so sorry for your loss. Please let us know if you need anything at all. Your entire family is in our...Read More » ”
17 of 20 | Posted by: The Bukacek Family - Greenville, SC

“So glad I had the chance to meet Ann. An amazing grandmother and great-grandmother to Lee Anne, Nick and Luke. We are thinking of you. ”
18 of 20 | Posted by: Kristen Johnson - MOUNT PLEASANT, SC

“I'll miss you, Ann. Covering the School Board hasn't been nearly as much fun since you left. ”
19 of 20 | Posted by: Ron Barnett - Easley, SC

“We are very sorry for your loss! May God bless you with peace & comfort during this time! Love, The Calder Family ”
20 of 20 | Posted by: Tammy, Glen, Chris & Eric Calder - SC


Ann Wheat Sutherlin, 82, of Greenville, died December 4, 2011.

A native of Lonoke, Arkansas, Mrs. Sutherlin was the daughter of the late Thomas Walton Wheat and Ruby Lois Wright Wheat. She attended Ouachita Baptist College in Arkansas, where she met her future husband, Edward E. Sutherlin. She and her husband Ed, along with their two daughters, lived for a considerable time in Crossett, Arkansas and later moved to Marshall, Missouri.

She was a longtime resident of Greenville, having moved here in 1979 with her husband and two granddaughters she and her husband helped raise. She was a retired piano teacher and enjoyed being involved in community and political initiatives. Mrs. Sutherlin had a deep love for children and their nurture and used her passion to help local school children during the 16 years she spent serving on the Board of Trustees of Greenville County Schools. Her tireless efforts on the school board were student focused and emphasized the importance of fiscally responsible administration and academic readiness in students. Mrs. Sutherlin was instrumental in helping establish the Fine Arts Center at Wade Hampton High School and led efforts to remediate asbestos and establish much-needed air conditioning in a number of local schools.

Mrs. Sutherlin's first love was piano, in which she showed great prowess and continued to enjoy throughout her life. She was also fond of literature and writing. At a very early age, she became fascinated with words and the process of putting them together. Unlike many, she actually liked the writing process and came to author several books. She was meticulous in her work, and for her published novel, The Fourth Son, she spent such considerable time researching and editing that she likened it to "doing your own surgery." Many Greenville News readers may remember her insightful letters to the editor in which she spoke about those subjects most passionate to her.

For years, Mrs. Sutherlin shared a lively correspondence with the late author and columnist James Kilpatrick, who shared with her a fondness for politics, law, social conservatism, Twain, Mencken, gardening, and bridge. They also shared what she called a "slightly warped sense of humor." Mrs. Sutherlin was an avid football fan, a talented bridge player, and crossword puzzle aficionado. She thought highly of her bridge club friends and her colleagues in the education arena and was respected by many for her intellect, quick wit, and elegance. It was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, though, that she considered her greatest accomplishment.

Mrs. Sutherlin was predeceased by her parents; husband; sister, Mary Lois Tharp; and brother, Thomas Walton Wheat, Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Kerry Sutherlin (Gene) Spitzer of Greenville and Lynn Sutherlin Evans of Moscow Mills, Missouri; grandchildren, Troy (Michelle) Kuhn of Penryn, California, Stacey Ross (Stephen) Gardner of Blythewood, Christopher E. (Faris) Feuers of Bluffton, Lee Anne Sutherlin Townes of Greenville, Courtney Feuers (David) Mann of Greenville, and Sean P. (Chrissi) Evans of Moscow Mills, Missouri; brother, Jack (Vada Carole) Wheat of Lonoke, Arkansas; sister-in-law Sue Wheat of Monument, Colorado; and twelve great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at the Mackey Mortuary at 311 Century Drive in Greenville from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7, 2011. A private memorial service will be held in Arkansas in the spring with interment at the Lonoke Cemetery.

Memorials in Mrs. Sutherlin's name may be made to the Fine Arts Center, 102 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609 or to media centers in Greenville County schools (Greenville County Schools, c/o Jeff Knotts, P.O. Box 2848, Greenville, SC 29602).

Online condolences may be made at www.mackeymortuary.com.