Albert Lee Sutton's Obituary
Albert Lee Sutton, age 80, a true Man of God, passed away peacefully in Washington, D.C. on April 28th, 2022. He was born in Henderson, North Carolina to James Mumford Sutton and Margaret Virginia Henderson Sutton. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He shared his passion, infinite wisdom, truth, veracity, integrity, and his God given vocation to help others with all he encountered. His loving, kind and giving spirit was unwavering, not only to those he loved, but to “everyone” he encountered throughout his life. His infectious personality, laughter and smile lit up every room he entered and will continue to shine and live on in so many of our hearts forever. He was known to many as “Big Al” throughout the Washington D.C. area or “Albert Lee” down south in North Carolina and Virginia. He enjoyed 58 wonderful years of marriage with his beautiful wife Georgeanna Sutton. The marriage reared two very successful sons, Terry D. Sutton and Larry D. Sutton. Each of his sons grew to be remarkably successful CEOs in the Federal and Department of Defense Technology arena. Big Al was an avid sports fan who loved rooting for all the Washington D.C. and North Carolina area sporting franchises. When he wasn’t enjoying sports, a day would not pass that he didn’t listen to his “Oldies but Goodies” slow jams at home or while riding around town in his big white truck enjoying retirement. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, solving the world’s problems with his infinite wisdom and spending quality time with his 12 amazing grandkids. He was educated by Vance County and Portsmouth Public Schools in Henderson, North Carolina and Portsmouth, Virginia respectively in the 1940s and early 1950s. After moving to Washington D. C. in 1961 as a young man, he worked several industry jobs before taking a huge risk to start his first business in 1965 at the tender age of 24. He was quoted saying, “I started my first business with an idea, ten bucks and a bucket of determination!” That same ten dollars and bucket of determination helped him go on to build, grow and sustain a wholesale and retail empire to include six convenience stores, several amusement arcades, multiple discount stores, a large multi-state wholesale network, and multiple vending outlets. He was a renowned businessman and ultimate entrepreneur celebrated by many up and down the east coast including the Mayor of Washington D.C. As a true giver, he shared each level of his success with his family and others to ensure he continually provided additional jobs, opportunities, resources, philanthropy and goodwill to all blessed to be in his path. His favorite quote will continue to encourage, motivate and inspire us all for many days to come:“To Much Is Given, Much Is Required… Keep Pushing, Keep Giving, Keep Believing, Keep Fighting For What Is Right, and Keep Doing Great Things!” He leaves behind his loving wife, Georgeanna Sutton; his two sons, Terry D. Sutton (Sonia) and Larry D. Sutton (Jialita); grandsons, Larry Sutton, Jr., Tonio Sutton, LaMarr Sutton, Lazarus Sutton, Brian Sutton, Lleyton Sutton and Lawyer Sutton; granddaughters, Brianna Sutton, Desiree Sutton, Chantelle Sutton and London Sutton; brothers, Alvin Harris (Gloria) and Arnold Sutton; sisters, Lottie S. Bolden and Erma S. Granger (Rodney); aunt, Daisy Henderson, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends he loved so much. He is preceded in death by his father, James Mumford Sutton; his mother, Margret Virginia Henderson Sutton; his brother, Christopher Sutton (Lori); his sister, Carolyn Thompson Sutton (Jerry), and granddaughter, Jasymne Sutton, all whom he held extremely close to his heart. Family and friends will unite on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 for viewing/visitation from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm; Mass from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 100 Village Street, Waldorf, MD. He will be cremated and laid to rest aside his family in a private ceremony.
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