[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8141]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF EVANGELIST DELLA MAE KING SUTTON

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay homage 
to the life and legacy of Evangelist Della Mae King Sutton of Nesbit, 
Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, Evangelist Sutton was a mighty woman of God. 
She devoted countless hours to empower those around her in formal and 
Christian education. Born July 20, 1941 in Desoto County, MS, Ms. Della 
was the first daughter to the late Turner King, Sr. and the late Remell 
Bridgeforth King.
  Ms. Sutton began her education at Shiloh M.B. Church in Desoto 
County, MS where her father was the instructor. She continued her 
education as an honor student at Hernando High School, which taught 
students up until eighth grade, and completed her studies as class 
Valedictorian. Upon leaving Hernando High, Ms. Della finished her 
secondary education at the age of sixteen at Eastern High School in 
Olive Branch, MS, where she was Salutatorian of her graduating class 
before enrolling in Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs, 
MS. It was there where she would meet her companion in life, her 
husband, Mr. Jesse Sutton, Jr. After completing studies at Mississippi 
Industrial College, Ms. Sutton earned her Master's of Science degree 
from Jackson State University.
  Ms. Della Mae sincerely believed in children and the value of 
educating them. Ms. Sutton served as a devoted educator for more than 
thirty years throughout Mississippi. These schools included East Side 
High School in Olive Branch, Mississippi; Oakley Training School in 
Learned, Mississippi; Mendenhall Junior High School in Mendenhall, 
Mississippi; and Northside Elementary School in Pearl, Mississippi, 
from which she retired.
  Throughout the years, Ms. Sutton has been recognized on several 
occasions. Most notably, she was recognized by former Governor and 
First Lady Ronnie Musgrove as one of the Most Outstanding Women for the 
Reach One-Each One Mother of the Year contest. She served as 
Chairperson of the Elementary Language Arts and was recognized for a 
host of other achievements. Ms. Sutton was the recipient of a number of 
awards, among them are the Who's Who Among Teachers, Teacher of the 
Year and most recently the Jackson District Association's Living Legacy 
Award.
  Ms. Sutton was a socially engaged woman. She was a member of Southern 
Christian Leadership Conference, a member of the National Association 
for the Advancement of Colored People, member of ``Keep Jackson 
Beautiful'', instructor of the Jackson District Ministers' Wives/Widows 
group, and an avid supporter of the Mississippi Baptist Seminary. She 
was an active member of the General Missionary Baptist Convention and a 
devoted member of the New McRaven Hill M.B. Church, where she served as 
a Sunday School teacher, member of the Mother's Ministry, devotional 
leader of the Mission Society and Vacation Bible School teacher.
  This spiritual steward for Christ lived a life of both passion and 
purpose. She was an advocate of education, a champion of civility and a 
true lover of the Lord.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in celebrating the 
life and legacy of a true champion, Evangelist Della Mae King Sutton.

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