James Lee Sutton "Pete"

Mr. James Lee Sutton “Pete” passed away on Friday, June 21, 2024, at Covenant HealthCare Cooper Hospital, surrounded by his loving wife of 39 years, daughter, and son. He was born on May 15, 1955, to Joe and Rosa Fields Sutton, in Thompson, Alabama.

Pete moved to Saginaw, Michigan from Cleveland, Ohio, in 1972. He attended the Buena Vista School System and later obtained his diploma from the Adult Education Program.

Pete worked for General Motors (Chevrolet Grey Iron) and was affiliated with UAW Local 668 for 25 years. After retirement, in his pastime, he was the “Man on the Grill,” feeding family and friends. He enjoyed listening to all music including Jazz, and especially the Blues. Pete could see the beauty in a faulty foundation and when he was able, he would tear a house apart and rebuild it to his perfection. He loved being around his grandchildren who lovingly called him Papa; they would always put a smile on his face.

Pete leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and supportive wife, Deborah Hawkins-Sutton; one daughter, Brittani Hill (DeLeonce Williams); one son, Dion Sutton (Bria Ward); two grandsons, Nayvon Hill Jr. and Dionte Sutton; one granddaughter, Dakota Sutton; eight sisters, Carrie (Willie) Whitley (who assisted in raising him), Jessie Avery, Ruby Winston, Rosa Sutton, Mary (Charles) Helton, and Thelma Harrison all of Saginaw, Michigan, Clara Blackman of Nashville, Tennessee, and Anna Sutton of Cleveland, Ohio; two aunts, Mary Sutton of Saginaw, Michigan and Rose Conover of Freehold, New Jersey; six sisters-in-law, Patricia Tarpley, Barbara Hawkins, Jeptha (Greg) Akins, Priscilla (Nathaniel) Cormier, Evelyn Mack Sutton, all Saginaw, Michigan, Renee (Anthony) Henderson of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Patricia Sutton of Cleveland, Ohio; brother-in-law, Archie Evans of Saginaw, Michigan; two godchildren, Marcel (Stefanie) Jones of North Carolina, and Andrea (Kebbie) Kelly II of Florida; a host of nieces and nephews; special friend, Nayvon Hill Sr., and special cousins, Antwain Mims and Lank Mims Jr.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Rosa Fields Sutton; grandmother, Carrie Davis; brothers, Joe Jr., Joseph, Robert, and Aggie Lee Sutton; sisters, Dorothy Harris and Betty Antwine; father and mother-in-law, Sterling and Ernestine Hawkins; brothers- in-law, Sterling Hawkins II, Melvin Avery, Nathaniel Winston, and Robert Harrison; and Uncle, Bennie Sutton.