Linden Junior Sutherland

Linden Junior Sutherland, age 95, went peacefully to his heavenly home on October 25, 2024. He was born on June 11, 1929 in the Frying Pan section of Haysi, Virginia to the late Noah Linden Sutherland and Edna "Phoebe" Counts Sutherland. Linden was one of thirteen children born to Noah and Phoebe. Linden grew up in the Haysi area and attended Flint Gap School, Rock Lick School, Grizzle School and Frying Pan School. He then went to Detroit, Michigan to work. In 1947 he moved back to Virginia and worked for Clyde Sutherland in a saw mill and married Clercie Mullins. They lived in Clintwood for a few months and then moved to Detroit. He was employed with L.A. Young Manufacturing Company. Shortly thereafter, he was employed with Ford Motor Company for 19 years. In 1968 he moved back to Virginia and worked for Levisa Coal Testing, Virginia Department of Forestry, and his last employment was with United Coal Company managing Camp Sequoya in Abingdon, Virginia. 

Linden was a member of East Bristol Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and song director for many years. He loved music, singing and playing the guitar and mandolin. He also sang and played in a Christian group called the "Tuners" while living in Michigan for several years.

We all knew Linden as a man striving to live a Christian life. He loved telling jokes and his children would find him quite often combing his hair and looking in the mirror saying, "You handsome devil, you!".

Linden was preceded in death by his wife of 76 years, Clercie Sutherland; three brothers and their wives, Bruce Sutherland (Rachel), Park Sutherland (Betty Jo), and Jack Sutherland (Loretta); seven sisters and their husbands, Eva Sutherland, Frankie Fuller (Tom), Garnie Kovak (Louie), Nannie Colley (Fearl), Gladys Combs (Clarence), Mable Waddell and Brownie Stamp (George); brother-in-law, Herbert Sherrow; son-in-law, William Kilgore, Jr.,; grandson, Gary Bradley Sutherland; and great grandson, Riley Childress. 

He is survived by his three sisters, his twin sister June Journell (Bernard), Norma Sherrow and Ann Reynolds (James); five children, Gary Linden Sutherland (Jane), Paula Sutherland Dobis (Glenn "Skip"), Vesta E. Sutherland (friend Bobby Milburn), Christa Sutherland Kilgore and Teresa Sutherland (Kristoff Daniel); eight grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by many friends. 

Linden's family would like to thank the staff of Bristol Rehab and Memory Care for their devoted attention, loving care and making his final days peaceful and calm. 

A graveside service will be conducted on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon, Virginia with Pastor Dan Birchfield officiating. Please arrive by 1:45 p.m. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Christopher Tackett, Justin Tackett, Blake Sutherland, Joshua Childress, Bobby Childress, Kevin Phillips and great grandson Anthony Sutherland. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Tackett, Sara Phillips, Amy Elkins, Skip Dobis, Kristoff Daniel and Bobby Milburn.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family of Linden Junior Sutherland is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, Main Street Location, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 276-623-2700.