Obituary of Alice Rose Sutherland

Alice Rose Herndon Sutherland, 90, of Roanoke celebrated her homecoming on October 29,2021.  She was born in Kimball, West Virginia on June 27, 1931 to the late Frank and Lilly Herndon.  After high school graduation, Alice studied nursing.  She married Dean Sutherland on January 12, 1954.  Alice and Dean celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary just three weeks before Dean’s death on January 27, 2014.

Upon retiring from nursing, first at Lewis-Gale, and then at the Veteran’s Hospital, Alice and Dean spent their leisure years snow-birding at Venice, Florida, and traveling.  A particular highlight was treating the children and grandchildren to a cruise in 2012. 

She delighted in her two children, Sharon (and her husband, Peery) and Ron (and his wife, Terri), as well as her four grandchildren, Jonathan and Allison (and her husband, Chad), and Erin (and her husband, Mike) and Evan; and three great-grandsons, Chandler, Camden, and Crew.  She is survived by her brother, Tom Herndon and his wife Mary Ann.    

Alice was a charter member of Shenandoah Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers, her request was that memorials be made either to the Faith Promise Offering, or to the Camp Eagle Ministry at her beloved church.

Alice and Dean had many wonderful, lifelong friends (especially her nursing classmates) who were a source of joy and strength.  Their prayers and presence strengthened Alice in those times when Dean was ill, and they likewise bolstered Alice in her recent days of awaiting matters of faith to become sight, and matters now seen, at best, as through a glass, darkly; but then face to face. 

A private service will be conducted in Evergreen Burial Park by her family pastor and dear friend of more than 50 years, Rev. Robert L. Alderman and Rev. David Frazier to celebrate the fact that Alice is now face to face, foremost with Jesus, the author and finisher of her faith; but also, with that great cloud of witnesses which preceded her, whom Christ, who is the resurrection and the life, has redeemed from death and given life everlasting.  The one who believes in Christ will live, even after dying.  Death is swallowed up in victory!