Georgia M. (Sutton) Doolin 1916-2005

Georgia M. Doolin, daughter of the late Alexander Dotson and Savilla Antonia (Payne) Sutton, was born January 11, 1916 in Hanna, Missouri where she grew up and attended elementary school at Fairview School and the Cave Springs School. She attended Richland High School. As a young girl, Georgia accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized.

At the age of 18, Georgia began her life as a working adult. Her first job was as a child caregiver for (Judge) Doug Long after which she worked at the Red Front Grocery for Floyd Mooney. Mr. and Mrs. Mooney had her leave the store in order to care for their children. Georgia went to work at the Fort Leonard Wood Exchange for a short time before beginning her employment at Jim's Market where she was employed for 31 years.

On July 4, 1937, Georgia was united in marriage to Willie A. "Cotton" Doolin in Waynesville, Missouri. They shared over 43 years of marriage together and were blessed with five children: Nancy, Mary, Willie, Benny and Robert. Cotton preceded her in death on April 5, 1980.

Georgia loved her family and treasured the times that she spent with them, especially her grandchildren. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Waynesville and attended as often as she could.

Georgia went home to be with her Lord, surrounded by her loving family at 12:30 P.M. Monday, January 3, 2005 in the James River Care Center of Springfield, Missouri at the age of 88 years, 11 months and 24 days.

Georgia will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by her two daughters: Nancy Quick and her husband, Alfred and Mary Smith, all of Springfield, MO; two sons: Bill Doolin and his wife, Nancy of Dixon, MO and Benny Doolin of Waynesville, MO; one brother: Willis Sutton and two sisters-in-law of the state of Oregon; 6 grandchildren: Robert Quick of Springfield, MO, Susan Howser of Ozark, MO, Kim Riffe of Crocker, MO, Terry Smith of St. Joe, MO, Terry Vance of Springfield, MO and Jennifer Withers of Dixon, MO; 15 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; several other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Georgia was preceded in death by three brothers: Claude, Robert and Homer; three sisters: Jewell, Nancy, and Pearl; one son: Robert; one grandson: Jeffrey; two nephews and one son-in-law: Robert Smith.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 8, 2005 in the Waynesville Memorial Chapel with Rev. Richard Breeden officiating. J.B. King, friend of the family, gave a beautiful eulogy. Soloist Gilbert Crismon sang "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross" and "In The Garden" and was accompanied by Pianist Becky Lercher. Serving as escorts were Lee Howser, J.B. King, Aaron Quick, Robert Quick, John Riffe and Terry Smith. Serving as honorary escorts were David, Jim, Robert and Steve Dodds, Freddie Merrill, Terry Vance and Toby Withers.

Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Waynesville Memorial Chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested in memory of Georgia Doolin to the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Fund and may be left at Waynesville Memorial Chapel.

Benny Alvin Doolin 1948-2011

Benny Alvin Doolin departed this life at 9:15 a.m., Monday, February 21, 2011, at Sunset Village of the Ozarks, St. Robert, Missouri, at the age of 62 years, 10 months and 24 days.

Benny was one of five children born to the union of the late Georgia Marie (Sutton) and Willie Alf Doolin. He was born on March 28, 1948 in Waynesville, Missouri. Benny grew up in Waynesville and graduated from Waynesville High School in 1967. As a young boy, he professed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized in the First Baptist Church of Waynesville.

Benny was employed as a custodian for the Waynesville R-VI School District for over 20 years. He lived in Waynesville throughout his lifetime and took great pride in his community. When he saw a need, he immediately went to work soliciting assistance from whomever necessary to fulfill that need. He was instrumental in many area projects, including getting the local veteran’s organizations to replace worn flags at area schools, placing the flag pole at the St. Robert Community Center, getting the state to place a crosswalk from the Pulaski County courthouse to the south side of business route 66 and constructing the gazebo on the grounds of the courthouse. But getting helipads installed all over the county was the project of which he was most proud.

Benny was a member of the Waynesville/St. Robert Masonic Lodge #375 AF & AM, Pulaski County Shrine Club and the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple. He has served as the president of the Pulaski County Emergency Landing Zone, worked at events such as Frog Fest, Old Settler’s Day and Christmas on the Square. On May 13, 2000, Benny was honored as the “Citizen of the Decade” by the Waynesville/St. Robert Area Chamber of Commerce

Benny is survived by three siblings: Nancy Quick (Alfred) of Springfield, MO, Mary Smith of Springfield, MO and Willie O. Doolin (Nancy) of Dixon, MO; one uncle: Willis Sutton of Coquille, OR; one aunt: Ruth Doolin of Lebanon, MO; special friends: Dickie and Princess Bales, Brandon and Hilary Bales, J.B. and Cheryl King and John and Lisa Schwandt all of Waynesville, MO; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Benny was preceded in death by one brother: Robert Mede Doolin.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 24, 2011 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert with Rev. Danny Graves officiating. Benny’s good friend, Sheriff J.B. King recalled his wonderful memories of Benny. Pianist Lisa Schwandt accompanied Soloist Charlas Bales as she sang “The Old Rugged Cross”. Charlas also sang “Amazing Grace Medley” and “In the Garden”. Serving as escorts were J.B. King, Dick Bales, Mike Dunbar, Billy Farnham, Kevin Hillman, Art Windham, Gene Newkirk, Johnny Burgess, Dan Cordry, Marvin Newell, Bobby Dunn, Bill Hammock, and Tony Dye.

Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Benny Doolin and may be left at the funeral home.

Alexander Dotson "Pop" Sutton 1872-1952

February 29, 1872-June 25, 1952. Son of Alexander Preston Sutton and Nancy Harmon Sutton.

As a night marshal in Pulaski County, Missouri, Alexander Dotson Sutton protected and befriended thousands of soldiers and their families stationed at Fort Leonard Wood during World War II. "During the construction of Fort Leonard Wood, I was on guard and was also there when the first fifteen soldiers arrived," he proudly commented to a friend in 1948. He would frequently have his photograph taken with the soldiers and most would come looking for him before being shipped overseas just to say goodbye to the man they affectionately called "Pop."

He always had a soft spot for the soldiers and once said, "I don't suppose I will ever have to go overseas where these soldiers were going, but I know that I will go down some time, somewhere, and I will have a warm feeling toward all soldiers when I do go down. Why not, when I know that they fought, bled, and died for me and for you."

"Pop" Sutton had actually begun his law enforcement career many years earlier as a constable in Rubidoux Township, Missouri. He went on to serve as deputy sheriff and sheriff in Pulaski County where his horse, Midnight, his pearl-handled revolver, and his friendly banter helped to make "Pop" an unforgettable and beloved figure around town.

All of this helped to explain why his death on June 25, 1952, hit the residents of Pulaski County so hard. "Pop" died 25 days after being struck by a car while on foot patrol. It was the end of a historic law enforcement career. Dotson "Pop" Sutton had served as a peace officer for 51 years, and was 80 years old when he died, making him the oldest active law enforcement officer ever to be killed in the line of duty.

Editor Note-Pop Sutton was Pulaski County Sheriff in 1905, the year that Elias Smith was executed by hanging on the courthouse square for murder.

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Toyoko (Kanamori) Strutton 1933-2009

Toyoko Strutton, of Crocker was born January 10, 1933, in Saitama-ken, Japan, a daughter of Kashichi and Kiku (Inagaki) Kanamori, and departed this life at 12:17 p.m., Monday, June 29, 2009, in the Barnes Hospital, St. Louis. Mrs. Strutton had attained the age of 76 years, 5 months and 19 days.

Mrs. Strutton was united in marriage on October 10, 1957, in Japan to Gerald “Harry” Strutton, and to this union seven children were born. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1986; her parents and one granddaughter, Kimberly Proctor in 1985.

Mrs. Strutton loved doing puzzles, knitting and crocheting. She had worked in housekeeping at the Lodge of the Four Season, retiring in 1985. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother and always diligent in providing for the needs of her family.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Strutton include: four sons and three daughters-in-law, Dale and Becky Strutton, Crocker; Dana “Danny” and Laura Strutton, St. Anthony; Dean Strutton, Crocker; and Don and Elizabeth Strutton, Russellville; three daughters and sons-in-law, Akemi and Jim Massey, Kansas City; Aleta and Phil McEneny, Moscow Mills and Jacki and Tim Proctor, Crocker; one brother and two sisters, all of Japan; twenty-three grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Mrs. Strutton at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 2, 2009, in the Long Funeral Home, Crocker, with Bro. Billy Claiborn, Hilltop Christian Union Church, officiating. Two favorite selections were played for the funeral service.

Interment was in the Zion Cemetery, near Crocker, under the direction of the Long Funeral Home, Crocker. Pallbearers for Mrs. Strutton were Dale Strutton, Dana “Danny” Strutton, Dean Strutton, Don Strutton, Jim Massey, Phil McEneny and Tim Proctor.

Memorials are suggested to the Zion Cemetery, Crocker with envelopes available at the office of the Long Funeral Home, Crocker.