Bobbie J. Sudduth (Lansing)

Deaconess Bobbie Jean Sudduth transitioned to her Heavenly Home on Monday, June 12, 2017, at the Mother Teresa House in Lansing, Michigan. Age 80. She was born June 17, 1936, in Spring Hill, Arkansas to Jackson and Lena Duncan Clayborn, the youngest of 12 children. Bobbie lost her parents at the age of 15 and went to live with her sister, Mattie and her family. Eventually Bobbie moved to Kansas City, Missouri to complete high school where she was quite the athlete in basketball.

She became a resident of Lansing, Michigan in 1956, after marrying the love of her life, L.C. Sudduth. They became the parents of three loving children, Deborah, Johnnie and Rhoadell. As her children grew, Bobbie went to work at Michigan State University where she retired from. Bobbie was also a homerun hitting softball player! She and her womens softball team won several state championships in Michigan in the 1960s.

Deaconess Sudduth also had a lifelong love of Jesus! Her uncle Johnnie Clayborn was a Bishop in the AME Church. She and her family united with Friendship Baptist Church in the late 1950s. Our family was one of the founding families for New Mount Calvary Baptist Church and Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. Eventually she and Deacon LC returned to Friendship Baptist Church where they served the Lord until they were called Home to Glory.

She leaves to cherish her memory three loving and devoted children, Deborah, Johnnie (Terri) of Lithonia, Georgia, and Rhoadell (Reiko) of Los Angeles, California; seven grandchildren, Lovell, Takisha (Mayor Walter) James of Bladensburg, Maryland, Keturah (Reverend Coye) Bouyer, Rhoadell, Jr. (Szandra) of Los Angeles, California, Erin, Meiko and Morgan both of Los Angeles, California; 10 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; sister, Mattie Lee McClure; brother, Samuel Clayborn, Los Angeles, California; four sisters-in-love, Bobbie Clayborn, Kansas City, Missouri; Nancy (Thomas) Williams, Jackson, Michigan, Helen Sandy McRae and Christine Sudduth, both of Chicago, Illinois; brothers-in-love, Coleman (Reverend Erlene) Sudduth and Gregory (Wendy) Scott, Ludester Truman, Jackson, Michigan; many nieces, nephews, cousins, so many friends including Godsons, Elder Eugene (Wendy) Murchison, Michael (Madonna) Shaffner, Indianapolis, Indiana and Jourdyn Thompson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lue C. "L.C.", parents, Jackson and Lena Clayborn,9 brothers and sisters and many other loving family and friends who greeted her at the Gates of Heaven!

In lieu of flowers, Deborah has asked that contributions be made to the L.C. and Bobbie J. Sudduth Expendable Scholarship Fund (#AR000196), a College of Human Medicine fund that she established in 2014 honoring her beloved parents. Gifts may be made using this link: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/36669"