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Justine Anita Simon Sutphen, 88, died Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Governor’s Glen Assisted Living in Forest Park, GA from complications of Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19.
Justine was a loving, supportive, and encouraging mother and the same to the rest of her family. A loyal and generous friend, she loved to share her opinions but treated all with respect and kindness. She especially loved babies and children. They always made her smile, and she didn’t mind listening to what they had to say. She liked travel, fashion, reading, movies, photo albums, and greeting cards, especially Hallmark. She had a ready laugh, fun personality, and quick wit. Justine was the master of the snappy comeback!
Justine was born in Lake Charles, LA to the late Beulah Hawkins Simon and Mottimo (Mott) Simon where she grew up with her three sisters on her parent’s farm. She was the youngest of the four girls. Her sisters, Irma Mandana Simon Harris and Lillian Macy Simon Roberts, preceded her in death.
After graduating from W.O. Boston High School in Lake Charles, she attended Wiley College in Marshall, TX. She met and married her husband, Cecil Sutphen, and had the first of her three daughters, Sussan. She graduated with a degree in childhood education and returned to Lake Charles taking a position in the parish elementary school as a teacher. Her second daughter, Diane was born there. The family moved to Kansas City, MO for better opportunities, and Justine had her youngest daughter, Lady Cecil. The Bureau of Indian affairs recruited her for a teaching position on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, so the family relocated to Eagle Butte, SD where she and Cecil later divorced. Justine remained in Eagle Butte to raise her three girls. She taught first grade initially, then kindergarten at Cheyenne Eagle Butte Elementary School for 42 years before retiring in 2001. Justine was fortunate to spend most of that time teaching with her best friend, Betty Lou Kost, in classrooms next to each other. Her goal was to provide a solid educational and social skills foundation for every child she taught. After retirement, she moved to Oak Park, IL to be close to Lady Cecil and help raise her grandchildren, Morgan and Shelbie. When her memory problems progressed, she came to live in Atlanta near Sussan until her death. A family memorial service will be held in Tuscaloosa, AL in the spring of 2021.
Justine is survived by her sister, Clemmye Marie Simon Crawford of Tuscaloosa, AL, daughters Sussan Kaye Sutphen (Jackie Moore) of Atlanta GA, Diane Carol Sutphen of Milwaukee, WI and Lady Cecil Sutphen (Gerard Wilkes) of Forest Park IL; her grandchildren, Morgan Justine Wilkes and Shelbie Elizabeth Wilkes; great grandson, Isaiah Andrew Wilkes; and nephew, William Stephen Crawford Jr. of Los Angeles, CA, other relatives, and friends. We will miss her gentle spirit, joy in life, and her love for her family.
Memorial contributions may be made in Justine’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or 225 N. Michigan Ave., Flr. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or to Reading is Fundamental (Children’s Literacy) at www.rif.org or 750 First Street NE, Suite 920, Washington, DC 20002.
The Sutphen family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation, 1086 Hwy 54 West, Fayetteville. Messages of condolence may be left at www.GeorgiaCremation.com.
Cathy says
FYI
Cynthia Mendoza McCrea says
Your Mom was a special lady. My Mother taught with her at Cheyenne Eagle Butte Elementary. Many former students have fond memories of her. The Mendoza Family sends condolences. God Bless.
Linda & Stephen Moore says
What a beautiful obituary. Sue, again my condolences to the family. Losing the matriarch is tough. PrYing that you all heal from the void her passing will bring. Love you
Linda & Stephen Moore says
What a beautiful obituary. Sue, again my condolences to the family. Losing the matriarch is tough. Praying that you all heal from the void her passing will bring. Love you
Cindy Meier-Lindskov says
Such an amazing lady and remembrance of her life. Fond & Fun memories of working @ CEB Primary School where she was one of five Kindergarten teachers. She was fun, witty and sometimes wore some classy vintage hats. She exemplified high expectations for her students and made certain they could read when they left her classroom for 1st grade. She would send students to my office to read their beginner books to me. Those students would beam with pride and so would she. Sending condolences to her entire family. She was a special and classy teacher and lady. Prayers to each of you.
Melissa Brewer Herbel says
I’m so sorry for your loss! I was in Mrs. Kost class but she was the teacher next door. We always did things with her class when i was in kindergarten all those years ago. She was stern but kind. She saw the potential of all students even at such a young age. She was an inspiration to many and a wonderful teacher! Her hats and her smile were my favorite thing I remember. Prayers to her family and friends.
Sandra Williams Luther says
My condolences to the Sutphen family. I went to school with Diane and am the same age. I remember the family well. RIP Justine.
Rene Bourn says
I worked with Ms. Sutphen in the mid 80s. She was a force to be reckoned with and someone I highly respected. I can visualize her gazing at me over her glasses; she would gauge her responses and chuckle deeply during our spirited conversations.
My sincere condolences to her entire family. She certainly lives on in the many hearts she touched.
Linda Picore says
What a wonderful person. A neat witty person always had a comeback. Enjoyed having her for a friend when we were in Eagle Butte from 1968-1979. Knew Lady Cecil remember going on a Girl Scout camping trip to Pierre… kept in touch when your Mom was in Illinois, then lost track…life…
ElizabethMarie Smock says
Justine was an amazing woman and force of nature. She never minced words. She was protective of her friends, family, her students and co-workers. It was privilege to work with her. She was passionate about her job. Didn’t take kindly to fools but always had a laugh that would soften the rebuke. There are people you never forget and Ms. Sutphen was one of those people. My condolences to her family.
Jerry Peacock says
Justine was my first grade teacher when we first moved to Eagle Butte. She was a great teacher at Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School and those of us who had the opportunity to be part of her life are considered to be lucky. Rest in Peace Ms. Sutphin. ❤
Carla Lawrence says
Prayers for the family, I remember Ms. Sutphen she was an awesome kindergarten teacher at Cheyenne-Eagle Butte.
Tracy Garreau says
One of my all time favorite teachers, I may have been in her last 1st grade class… many fond memories and grateful to her…
Geri Zorin says
I had the pleasure of working with her I was right next door to her. We would have our morning laughs and afternoon conversations I adored her. Your mother was a gem. Her and Betty Lou were the best friends I loved their stories. Students always came back to visit her she made a real impact on her students lives on Cheyenne River. Prayers to her family during their loss I will be thinking of her. Rest in peace my dear gal your work is done. Just know you were loved here like family.
Lori Garreau says
My deepest condolences to the family,
Ms. Sutphen was my teacher in school and she was my daughters teacher also, I remember when I took my daughter to her room she looked at me and said well Lori Ann, we hugged and visited for a bit. What a great lady, I’m glad that i have had the privilege to have known her.
Josie LaBlanc says
Aww Ms. Sutphen. ❤
Condolences to your family from a former Cheyenne Eagle Butte student. 🙏
Jerylin M Bad Warrior says
She was my kindergarten teacher and blessed that she was my daughters kindergarten teacher as well. I had many kids that treated me mean but she made me feel good about myself. Sometimes, I couldn’t sleep but she would talk me into napping by reading me a story. She did the same for my first born. I cherish those moments. I will always miss you
Lynnette Lesmeister says
I remember my first day of kindergarten, Betty Lou was my teacher but you helped me at lunchtime recess with my buckle on my shoe.
She was kind always and she never forgot me or my name. I loved this lady. Ms. Sutphen was such a blessing to our community, and dedicated to our school. She was loved by many and will be missed🌹
Marla Collins says
I will always remember Ms. Sutphen. She was my youngest son’s 1st grade teacher. She was a very kind woman and can tell she loved her students. Thank you to the Sutphen children for sharing your mom. My prayers and condolences to you and the family.
Christian Thompson says
Aww Ms. Sutphen ❤
Condolences To Your Family From A Former Cheyenne Eagle Butte Student 🙏
Jackie S says
I remember Ms. Sutphen from kindergarten in Eagle Butte. I remember she was always smiling. Always kind. What a beautiful lady. I’m privileged I got to share just a little bit of my life with her. Rest In Peace. Prayers to her family. 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Barbara Burke says
Dear Sue, Jackie and All of Ms. Justine’s Family, I wish to extend my condolences to each of you. Though, I did not have the privilege to meet Ms. Justine, I learned a little bit about her life through Sussan. I came to sense that she was blessed by a forthright and tenacious spirit, committed to educating and encouraging. Thank you for sharing more of her life through her obituary.
May her enduring love continue to transform lives, and may God’s love be yours always.
Brenda Pressnell Bell says
In 1973 I travelled from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan for an 8 week student teaching experience. Justine was my critic teacher. What a wonderful first grade teaching experienced! I learned so much from her. I agree that she was a force to be reckoned with and so proficient in organization. I will never forget her and my first experiences as a novice teacher.