Mrs. Bettye Jean Sutton, 75, died Thursday morning September 29, 2016 at the Memorial Hospital of Gulfport.  Services for Mrs. Sutton were held on Saturday October 8, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Long Beach, with Pastor LaRue Stephens officiating.  Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Gulfport, with Laird Mortuary in charge of all arrangements.

Mrs. Sutton was the daughter of the late James Nance and the late Marie Ray of Gulfport.  At an early age she joined the Little Rock Baptist Church in Gulfport, where she served as a missionary, evangelist Sunday-School teacher, greeter and choir member.  Mrs. Sutton served faithfully at the First Baptist Church of Long Beach during her senior years, where she touched the lives of many members of her Sunday-School class.

Mrs. Sutton received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Tennessee State University in Nashville, and a

Master of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi, that equiped her to teach for over 30 years in the Gulfport City School System.  After retirement, she continued to serve in education as a volunteer tutor and mentor.

In 1965, Mrs. Sutton married George Sutton of Lawrence County, and to this union two children wer added.  Mrs. Sutton was an outstanding wife and mother, while making numerous contributions, and establishing high standards in both education and in her spiritual life.

Mrs. Sutton’s survivors include her husband of 51 years, George Sutton: two children, Trent (Talithia)

Sutton of San Leandro, CA and LaShae (Bobby) Black of Atlanta GA; two brothers, David Ray and

Arthur Ray, Jr., both of Gulfport; two grandchildren; and a number of other releatives and friends.