Betty Ann Sutton

Betty Ann Sutton passed away on Sep. 27th 2022 at the age of 96 in Visalia, Calif. Betty was born in Beckemeyer, Ill. August 19th, 1926 to Clarrincy Gallatin and Winfield Scott Simonton, the youngest of four children. Betty was a working partner in a family business until retirement in 1992. Betty was educated in her hometown of Beckemeyer where her father was school principal as well as superintendent. Shortly after graduation she met her future husband at a U.S.O. dance on the tennis courts of Scott Air Force Base near Belleville, Illinois. Donald Sutton, a native of Visalia, Ca., served in the Army Air Force with the Air Transport Command during WWII. Following Don’s transfer to an Air Base in Calif., Betty traveled to Visalia to meet his parents where she stayed while Don was stationed nearby. At the conclusion of WWII Betty returned to her hometown where she was joined by Don and they were married on July 6th, 1945, in Carlyle, Illinois. Don and Betty settled in Visalia and had two children, Donald Richard and Lynn Kay. The Suttons enjoyed 67 years together until Don preceded her in death in April, 2014. Betty’s passions were family/friends, home, gardening and being outdoors; those passions remained consistent throughout her life. Remarkably, she continued to tend to her garden up until several months before her passing. They spent many summer years on Vancouver Island where Donald went fishing and Betty went “antiquing”. They were often joined by family and friends and fun times were had by all. Betty is survived by her son, Donald Richard Sutton of Atascadero, married to Jean Sutton and her daughter, Lynn Fjeld of Visalia, married to Chad Fjeld. Additionally, she is survived by five granddaughters and spouses: Erin Garner-Ford (Jason), JoAnna Cremers (Andrew), Mandy Sutton, (Ben McDaniel, partner) Cassie Sutton (Joe ) and Ericka Fjeld Swiney (Brian) as well as seven great grandchildren and one on the way. Betty loved being surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and she had plenty of opportunities. A Memorial service will be held at Hadley/Marcom Funeral Chapel, 1700 W. Caldwell, in Visalia on Saturday, October 29th at 10:00 a.m. Suggested Memorial donation: Kaweah Health Hospice Foundation, 216 S. Johnson St., Visalia, Ca., 93291, Memorial Gifts Salt + Light, 6943 W. Pershing Ct., Visalia, Ca. 93291, Memorial Gifts