West Union woman remembered for family ties, fishing and games

West Union held the center of Debra Ann Sutterfield’s life even after she made her home in Mason. The 73-year-old, formerly of West Union, died Tuesday, June 2, at Mason Health Care Center, and her obituary reflected how deeply her family ties still ran through Adams County.

Born Jan. 11, 1953, in Cincinnati, Sutterfield was the daughter of Guilford Meece and Dollie Meece, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Judy Meece, and brothers Jerry Meece and David Meece. Even with those losses, the family line remained wide and rooted in southern Ohio, stretching through her husband, Robert Sutterfield of West Union, and the generations that followed.

She is survived by four children: Melissa Bamberger and her husband, Tony, of Maineville; Brian Haddix and his wife, Autumn, of Hemet, California; Crystal Sutterfield and her husband, Wade, of West Union; and Debbie McAdow and her husband, Jim, of Lake Waynoka. She also leaves one brother, James Meece of Somerset, Kentucky; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Sutterfield graduated from Kings High School in Kings Mills in Warren County, but the details that stand out most in her remembrance are the ones tied to home and habit. She loved playing games and spending time with her family, and fishing was described as her favorite activity. She also enjoyed online auctions, a small but telling glimpse of the everyday routines that gave her pleasure.

Visitation was held Tuesday, June 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lafferty Funeral Home in West Union. Pastor Tom Claibourne officiated the funeral service at 1 p.m., and interment followed that afternoon at West Union Cemetery.

For Adams County readers, the obituary was less about where Sutterfield died than where she belonged. West Union remained the emotional center of a life marked by family, familiar places and the simple pastimes that stayed with her until the end.