By Rev. W.J. Todd, New Bern, N.C.
Mrs. Harriet Ann Sutton died June 26, 1921, at 2:15 a.m. She was a consecrated and consistent Christian. She believed in a practical religion, and a practical Christianity; and really put up that kind of life. She took special delight in the words of Jesus found in the 8th chapter, 12th verse of the Gospel, according to St. John, when He said, “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
She joined the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church about 40 years ago and continued in this church until the day of her death. Hence it can be truthfully said as the Lord said of one while He was on earth, “She hath done what she could,” and se delighted in these words of Jesus, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
She was a faithful and true wife, always reading and willing to do her part for the comfort and pleasure of the family and home. She was a tender and loving mother who did her whole duty to her children. She was a real good citizen and neighbor, and a true friend to the needy. She was the mother of 10 children, and lived to see them all grown up to manhood and womanhood.
She was buried from St. Peter’s A.M.E. Zion Church Wednesday, June 29, with the following program: master of ceremonies Rev. K.T. Thompson; first hymn, Rev. J.H. Moseley; first scripture lesson, Rev. W.W. Dawson; second scripture lesson, Rev. Smith; third scripture lesson, Rev. J. Harvey Anderson; Prayer by Rev. P.R. Hayes; second hymn, Rev. W.J. Todd; solo, Brother James Dudley.
Rev. W.J. Todd read resolutions and letters of condolence from the various organizations and individuals, respectively: St. Peter’s A.M.E. Zion Church, the Mass Meeting of W.H. and F. Missionary Society of New Bern district, and the New Bern district Sunday School convention which was in session at her death and burial. Bishop J.s. Caldwell, Rev. B.P. Coward, Rev. J.L. Borden and Mrs. L.C. Perry. The eulogies were delivered by Drs. J.H. Moseley and J. Harvey Anderson, both speaking of their long acquaintance and friendship with one of Zion’s greatest women who had fallen asleep on the bosom of Jesus.
Death to a good woman is but passing through a dark entry out of one little dusky room, her father’s home, into another that is fair and large, lightsome and glorious, and divinely entertaining. It is not to the Christian what is has been called. “Paying the debt of nature.” No; it is not paying a debt; it is rather like brining a note to a bank to obtain solid gold in exchange for it. No woman who is fit to live need fear to die, and this good woman’s fitness for living was demonstrated as she came in contact with individuals irrespective of denomination or social status, whether high or low. Harriet Sutton, if she knew it, would visit any one in her neighborhood and carry comfort and relief. All “Duffie Field,” white and black, mourn the loss of their friend, who was a friend to man. Every bishop, preacher, or layman was made welcome in her home and shared a hospitality that came from a pure hearted, Christian woman.
She knew how to fill a large sphere by glorifying a small one. She realized there was no large sphere, you are your own sphere, the man or woman regenerated and consecrated is the grandest thing on earth, because he makes himself so. Hence her belief in a practical religion.
To her husband nothing was more noble, nothing more venerable than her fidelity. Faithfulness and truth were her most sacred excellencies and endowments. Her word was her bond, and her heart was far from fraud and hypocrisy.
She had the rare quality of not only loving, but respecting childhood, its innocence, its keen sense of justice and its passionate and yet sensitive affection.
She raised six girls and four boys, all of whom are industrious and seem to be getting along well in their chosen vocations. We make special mention of Miss Mary J., Supervisor of public schools of Craven county, and who performed her school duties faithfully. She was found to the end by her mother’s bedside, rendering every comfort possible.
She seemed to realize that the virtue of mothers visited their children.
The other children attending the funeral were Mesdames Anna S. Tillman and Hattie E. Graham of Philadelphia; Mrs. Maud Allen and Miss Alice Sutton of New York City; Mr. Joseph Sutton of Toledo, Ohio, Mr. Thomas D., Norfolk, Va., and Mr. Archie J., Quantico, Va.
From The Star of Zion, Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 1, 1921
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