Thomas Wayne Sutherland, 68, went to his heavenly reward on Friday, April 20, 2018 at his home in Naples, Florida.

Tom was born on November 29, 1949 in Shelby to the late Horace Sutherland and Lucille Curry Sutherland. He grew up in the Eastside community of Shelby and was a graduate of Shelby High School, Class of 1968. He attended Gardner-Webb University before being drafted into the United States Army. He was a graduate of Cleveland Community College. He was employed with Dover Mills/Doran Textiles for over thirty years. He also worked at Four Leaf Textiles in Clover, SC and managed Thomas & Howard Wholesale in Shelby before his retirement. Tom was a member of the AMVETS Post 42 in Shelby where he served as local Finance Officer for a number of years. He also served as Finance Officer for the AMVETS State Department of North Carolina from 2003-2004. Tom served as a past deacon of Eastside Baptist Church and was a Christian.

Tom is survived by his wife, Aleta Greene Sutherland and her children, Tripp Spanger and wife Angela; and Traci Floyd, all of Naples, FL. He is also survived by his first wife, Paula Padgett Sutherland of Shelby and their children, Haley Sutherland Pond and husband Jason of Shelby; Thomas Kyle Sutherland and wife Laurie of Charlotte; and Milly Sutherland McMillan and husband Brandon of Shelby. Tom was blessed with 10 grandchildren who he loved dearly and whom survive him: Patricia Spangler, Alexis Floyd, Kaylann Pond, Jonathan Spangler, Connor Pond, Ethan Spangler, Parker Sutherland, Caleb Spangler, Madelyn McMillan, and Maris McMillan. He is survived by one brother, Steve Sutherland and wife Ellen of Davidson, NC and three sisters, Norma Hawkins and husband Joe of Knoxville, TN; Ione Fite and husband Harold of Shelby; and Diane Brown and husband Bill of Atlanta, GA. Tom is also survived by two nephews and three nieces.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening, April 26, 2018 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Clay-Barnette Funeral Home. A funeral service celebrating Tom's life will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 27, 2018 at Eastside Baptist Church with the Dr. Harold Fite & Rev. David Blanton officiating. Burial will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park with military honors.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements are entrusted to Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Shelby.

Online condolences at www.claybarnette.com