Obituary for Charles Alfred "Johnny" Sutton
Charles Alfred Sutton was born on January 15, 1947, in Washington DC. He was the oldest of two sons born to John Alfred Sutton and Corlean Powell Sutton. Charles was affectionately known by his family as “Johnny”.
As a young boy, Johnny developed challenges with his vision. After being diagnosed with detached retinas in both eyes, he was declared legally blind. His parents divorced during his early childhood years and Johnny went to live with his father and his father’s family in Madison, Virginia. Johnny’s great grandmother and great aunts doted on him and made sure he was well supported. Johnny attended Madison Elementary School and participated in special classes where he learned how to read braille. As he got older, he returned to Washington DC to complete his education. There, he attended middle school and graduated from Cardoza High School.
After high school, Johnny began his career in public service and worked for the U.S. Government for many years until he reached retirement age. In 1979, Johnny purchased a condominium in Southwest DC at the River Park Community and resided there for over 40 years until his passing. As an engaged citizen he enjoyed his neighbors, and they were very friendly and welcoming toward him. He was also an active member of the National League for the Blind and was a member of a blind bowling league in DC for a few years.
Despite his limited vision, Johnny lived a very full and independent life. Johnny’s friends and family marveled at the confidence with which he navigated the streets of DC along with his command of the metro transit and bus systems. He enjoyed walking in his neighborhood in Southwest DC and visiting the local Safeway grocery store where he would do his shopping with the help of employees and kind strangers. Johnny was a sweet and funny man who love sports, especially baseball and football. He cherished his trusty radio and would often listen to sports games where the Nationals or Commanders were playing, but his heart was always with the Chicago Cubs. Johnny loved a good home cooked meal - meatloaf was his favorite. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. He enjoyed life and lived it his way and on his terms. He always prided himself on being a gentleman, and that he was.
Johnny was very close to his younger brother, Ryland Sutton, who preceded him in joining the ancestors on Memorial Day weekend of 2021. Johnny would make plans to visit their ancestral home in Madison, Virginia and Ryland would dutifully drive him down every Memorial Day and Labor Day. During their many trips to Madison, they would go in town and run errands, enjoy a meal and return to the home to sit on the back porch, enjoying the peaceful setting of the country, and talking with relatives. Most notably, Johnny would spend time with their Cousin Vernon Ward who was faithful in looking after the family property along with taking such good care of Johnny and ensuring all of his needs were met during his time in Madison. One of the highlights of their annual trips was to visit the gravesites of their relatives and to adorn them with flowers. The brothers were faithful in this act of love and Johnny would take such delight in showing us the headstone he purchased for himself which was placed next to their father’s grave. In fact, during the weeks leading up to his passing, Johnny would often speak about “going home to Madison” and that he had a burial plot there next to his father. His kind heart and gentle demeanor will always be cherished by those who knew and loved him.
Johnny is survived by a niece Toyan Sutton Espeut and nephew Scott Espeut; Cousins Vivian Ball, Paulette Powell, Vernon Ward, Lynn Jackson Holly, and Leslie Jackson; Great nieces Alexandra and Alyssa Dreux Espeut; Great nephew Julian Espeut; and his friend and confidant of many years Barbara Baldwin, and a wealth of other relatives and friends.
As a young boy, Johnny developed challenges with his vision. After being diagnosed with detached retinas in both eyes, he was declared legally blind. His parents divorced during his early childhood years and Johnny went to live with his father and his father’s family in Madison, Virginia. Johnny’s great grandmother and great aunts doted on him and made sure he was well supported. Johnny attended Madison Elementary School and participated in special classes where he learned how to read braille. As he got older, he returned to Washington DC to complete his education. There, he attended middle school and graduated from Cardoza High School.
After high school, Johnny began his career in public service and worked for the U.S. Government for many years until he reached retirement age. In 1979, Johnny purchased a condominium in Southwest DC at the River Park Community and resided there for over 40 years until his passing. As an engaged citizen he enjoyed his neighbors, and they were very friendly and welcoming toward him. He was also an active member of the National League for the Blind and was a member of a blind bowling league in DC for a few years.
Despite his limited vision, Johnny lived a very full and independent life. Johnny’s friends and family marveled at the confidence with which he navigated the streets of DC along with his command of the metro transit and bus systems. He enjoyed walking in his neighborhood in Southwest DC and visiting the local Safeway grocery store where he would do his shopping with the help of employees and kind strangers. Johnny was a sweet and funny man who love sports, especially baseball and football. He cherished his trusty radio and would often listen to sports games where the Nationals or Commanders were playing, but his heart was always with the Chicago Cubs. Johnny loved a good home cooked meal - meatloaf was his favorite. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. He enjoyed life and lived it his way and on his terms. He always prided himself on being a gentleman, and that he was.
Johnny was very close to his younger brother, Ryland Sutton, who preceded him in joining the ancestors on Memorial Day weekend of 2021. Johnny would make plans to visit their ancestral home in Madison, Virginia and Ryland would dutifully drive him down every Memorial Day and Labor Day. During their many trips to Madison, they would go in town and run errands, enjoy a meal and return to the home to sit on the back porch, enjoying the peaceful setting of the country, and talking with relatives. Most notably, Johnny would spend time with their Cousin Vernon Ward who was faithful in looking after the family property along with taking such good care of Johnny and ensuring all of his needs were met during his time in Madison. One of the highlights of their annual trips was to visit the gravesites of their relatives and to adorn them with flowers. The brothers were faithful in this act of love and Johnny would take such delight in showing us the headstone he purchased for himself which was placed next to their father’s grave. In fact, during the weeks leading up to his passing, Johnny would often speak about “going home to Madison” and that he had a burial plot there next to his father. His kind heart and gentle demeanor will always be cherished by those who knew and loved him.
Johnny is survived by a niece Toyan Sutton Espeut and nephew Scott Espeut; Cousins Vivian Ball, Paulette Powell, Vernon Ward, Lynn Jackson Holly, and Leslie Jackson; Great nieces Alexandra and Alyssa Dreux Espeut; Great nephew Julian Espeut; and his friend and confidant of many years Barbara Baldwin, and a wealth of other relatives and friends.