Eloita Emeline Sutterfield

Eloita Emeline Sutterfield was born on July 15, 1918, in Prague, Oklahoma, and departed this life on Thursday, March 3, 2016, in Oklahoma City at the age of 97. Eloita, the daughter of Frank Leslie and Dellah May (Hamilton) Spitler was a long-time resident of Prague. She grew up living on the farm, learning the skills of gardening and caring for livestock. Eloita married Von Sutterfield of Prague on August 14, 1940. Their 68 years of married life ended at his death on May 17, 2008. She graduated from Prague High School in 1935. In 1945, she received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Teaching Degree in 1961. Eloita started her teaching career at an early age. She taught at Spring Branch, Fair View, Gable and Garden Grove schools for 21 years. She was an administrator at the elementary level at Prague Public Schools and then spent her last 10 years in the Shawnee public school system, before retiring in 1980. In addition, Eloita taught 4-H for 20 years in Pottawatomie County. Eloita was a life-time member of the Oklahoma Education Association, the National Education Association, and the University of Central Oklahoma Alumni Association. She was also a member of the Oklahoma Retired Teachers Association for 34 years. In 2007, Eloita was honored by the Gable Cemetery Association for her service as a member and Secretary-Treasurer of the organization for 28 years. In February 2012, the Theta Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Educated Women recognized Eloita for 50 years as a member and presented her with the Golden Sister Award. Eloita was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Dorcas Sunday school class of Prague for over 27 years. She took pride in her flower beds. She also invested much of her time in hobbies, games, and handwork as well as the art of sewing and cooking. Eloita lived life to the fullest. Her legacy will be defined by the many lives she touched. Eloita’s husband, parents, two sisters, Jewell Guinn and husband, Arven, Ethel Jones and husband, Robert, one brother, Hugh Spitler and wife, Bonnie, two nephews, Wayne Guinn and Bret Guinn, and two nieces, Barbara Guinn and Jeanne Guinn preceded her in death. Survivors include: nieces, Linda St. Onge and husband, Jim of Sugar Land, TX, Avis Vanzant of Prague, Maxine Lokey of Prague, Loretta Rice and husband, Richard of Guthrie, and Idabelle Jones and husband, Bill of Morgan Hill, CA; nephews, Kenneth F. Spitler, and wife, Nancy of Houston, TX, Jerold F. Guinn of Tulare, CA, and Howard Emerson and wife, Karen of Brea, CA; cousins, Julia R. Hamilton, Paul D. Spitler, W. Angus Moore, Irvin Spitler, David W. Moore, Elva Schoenrock, and Pauline Parks; 6 great-nieces; 10 great-nephews; 25 great great nieces and nephews; a host of former students and friends. The Sutterfield family will receive friends on Sunday, March 6, 2016, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 2:00 PM, at First Baptist Church in Prague with Bro. Tim Emmons officiating. Interment will follow at Prague Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague.