Juanita Chesser Suttle

Juanita Chesser Suttle, a quiet spirit whose positive outlook on life was reflected in her beautiful smile, passed from her life on this earth on December 4, 2016 in Clemmons, North Carolina. She was born on August 20, 1930 in Green Cove Springs, Florida, to Fred and Edna Chesser, and graduated from Clay High School in 1949. While still in high school, she met the love of her life, Alvin Suttle, on a blind date at Spring Park. Al had recently been discharged after four years of service with the U.S. Navy. They married in 1950, making their home and raising their family in Green Cove Springs. Juanita and Al were married for 35 years, until he passed away in 1985. Juanita was very proud of her career at Clay High School, beginning just after her own graduation when she first served as an office assistant, and ending in 1981 as the school bookkeeper. She instilled a love of learning in her children, and provided an environment of nurture and support in their early years which contributed to their success later in life. Her grandchildren, Will and Alison, fondly recall their trips to Grandmommy's house where they chased lizards, baked oatmeal cookies, walked to the St. Johns River, and listened to the train whistles at night in bed. She took them fishing in the river, gutted and cleaned their catch on the back patio, and fried up the fish along with the best hushpuppies in the world. She always paid them a case quarter if they would give her a "head-knockin'" or a back rub. Grandmommy was responsible for Will becoming the Number One Jacksonville Jaguars Fan by sending him every type of Jaguars merchandise along with manila envelopes full of newspaper clippings about the new NFL team, starting when Will was four years old. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Alvin Suttle, and four siblings - Doris, Dorothy, Earl, and Fred. Juanita is survived by her two children, Marc Suttle (Lara) and Wanda Duncan, two grandchildren, Alison Duncan Salomon (Becky) and Will Duncan, and three siblings, Gerry Suttle (John), Betty Ottinger (Chuck) and Melvin Chesser. The family would like to express its deep appreciation for the care given to Juanita by Barbara Hattabaugh and Kathy Chapman Allen (both of Green Cove Springs) and the staff at Trinity Elms Assisted Living in Clemmons, NC. All friends and family are cordially invited to a family visitation and reception on Sunday, March 12, 2017, 3 - 5 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 500 Walnut Street, Green Cove Springs, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Juanita's memory to her alma mater: The Clay High School Scholarship Fund, in care of the Village Improvement Association of Green Cove Springs, P.O. Box 1448, Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043.