Mrs. Zepherine Barnett Lamar, daughter of Willie Barnett and Mollie Mitchell Barnett, was born on June 28, 1916 in Schull Shoals, Georgia, Greene County. At age 6, she lost her father to a long term illness and at age 10, she lost her mother in the tuberculosis epidemic.
She was taken in and raised by her maternal aunt Addie Stewart in Arnoldsville, Georgia. She was born again in 1930, and joined the St. Paul Baptist Church and was baptized.
After moving to Athens, Georgia with her aunt Addie Stewart and her son Oran Stewart and his children, James, Agnes, Oran Jr., and twins Betty and Barbara, she joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Rev. Gresham, Pastor.
She attended Union Baptist Institute in Athens, Georgia from the 7th grade through the 12th grade and graduated from there in 1936. With financial aid from her cousin, Emanuel Butler, who was in the navy, she attended Savannah State College and graduated in 1940 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. She later received a Masters degree in Education from Atlanta University in 1968.
She married James Samuel Sutton in 1943 and to them was born a son in June 1945, James Emanuel Sutton.
She taught in several counties in the state of Georgia school system for 32 years, retiring from Manchester, Ga. In 1976 after having taught in the Meriwether County School System for 10 years.
She joined the Calvary Baptist Church in 1972 and as a very active member, taught Sunday School there for 25 years.
She is preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters: Clifford, Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Grady, Eddie, Jennie and Baby (unknown name) all deceased.
As the effects of advanced age began to set in, she was admitted to Roosevelt Place Assisted Living and later to Warm Springs Medical Center Nursing Home as each facility provided her with the best of care and warmth of attention.
She peacefully department from this life on January 27, 2018, at the age of 101 with her son by her side.
She leaves to cherish her memory one son: James Emanuel Sutton, Columbia, S.C.; two grandson: Joshua and Jason Sutton; two nieces: Dr. Edwina Barnett, Lafayette, Ind. And Mrs. Elaine Bowe, White Plains, N.Y. and a host of cousins and friends who will miss her dearly.
Her words from one of her writings:
"I am a born again Christian and I am trusting in, believing in and relying upon my God, faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who saved me with His precious blood."
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