Tom Sutphin, Jr.

Tom Sutphin, Jr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the age of 86.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Mary Sue Sutphin; children, Deborah Berley, Brenda Rankin, David Sutphin, Eric Sutphin, their 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom was born the youngest of five children to Thomas and Sarah Sutphin on August 24, 1938, in Bluefield, West Virginia.  While attending Beaver High School in September 1954, he met Mary Sue Denny, the woman who would become the love of his life.  Shortly after graduation, Tom proudly joined the United States Army and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  On September 20, 1956, while on a fourteen day leave enroute to his first duty station, Tom and Mary Sue were married.  Over the next ten years, this young couple welcomed four beautiful children into their family.

After twenty honorable years of service to our nation, Tom retired from the United States Army to El Paso, Texas.  Only one month after his military retirement, he embarked on a second profession in the insurance industry, where he served for another twenty years.  Upon completion of two stellar careers, Tom and Mary Sue moved to Columbia to be closer to their children and family in South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Virginia.  As such, they hit the road, celebrating birthdays, holidays graduations and reunions, bringing love and joy to each occasion.

Tom was a stranger to no one.  His gregarious nature and sense of humor immediately put everyone at ease. These traits enabled himto easily share his faith as a selfless servant of Christ.  His callingas a Deacon, and work with The Gideons, afforded him innumerable opportunities to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of others.  Tom also committed his time and talents to pray for individuals and families as a prolific Sunday School and Bible Study Teacher.

People will remember Tom as a loving husband, father, spiritual advisor and friend who encouraged them to grow in their faith, treat others with respect and live a life pleasing in the sight of God.  We take great comfort in the knowledge that Tom now worships at the feet of Jesus in perfect peace and joy unspeakable and full of glory.

The funeral service for Tom will take place on Friday, September 20, 2024, 11:30 a.m., at Spring Valley Baptist Church, 91 Polo Rd, Columbia, South Carolina 29223. The burial service, with military honors, will follow at 1:00 p.m., at Fort Jackson National Cemetery,4170 Percival Rd, Columbia, South Carolina 29229.  Pastors Blake Jenkins and Tommy Burkett will preside over the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Gideons International in Tom’s name to continue their work distributing Bibles throughout the world.

https://www.Gideons.org/donate