Mary Sutherland Obituary

Mary Sutherland

August 12, 1936 - December 14, 2023

COLUMBIA, South Carolina - Mary Alice Summerlin Sutherland, 87, passed away on December 14, 2023.

Born on Wednesday, August 12, 1936, in Albany, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Clarence Allen Summerlin and Beulah Belger Summerlin. She moved with her parents at an early age to Douglas, Georgia, where she was reared.

Mary's mother began developing her talent in music-both as a vocalist and pianist-from a very early age. Mary had a continued passion for music throughout her entire life and believed that music was the "universal language." She continued her studies of music at Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Georgia, where she was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota Fraternity in music and the Milledgeville College Choir. She graduated in 1958 with a BS in Music Education with Certificates of Proficiency in Piano and Voice. She continued her post-graduate studies at Florida State University, Columbia College, and the University of South Carolina.

Mary loved to travel. During the summer of 1959, she traveled to England aboard the Queen Elizabeth II to study music in Europe. She stayed in touch with her high school and college friends throughout her entire life. Annual trips to her beloved state of Georgia were always a highlight of her summers.

Mary began her 44 years of teaching elementary music education in Albany, Georgia. She started the Elementary Music Program at Hammond School and completed her teaching career at Hood Street Elementary School located on Fort Jackson, where she was selected Teacher of the Year in 1996 and later retired. In addition to elementary education, Mary taught piano, directed choirs, and was a member of Washington Street United Methodist Church Choir.

On June 30, 1963, Mary married the love of her life, the late Roy Robert Sutherland, Jr., in Douglas, Georgia. After moving to Columbia, South Carolina, they both joined Washington Street United Methodist Church and were active, life-long members of the John Harper Sunday School Class.

Mary is survived by a son Roy Robert Sutherland, III of Columbia; a daughter and son-in law Susan and Tim Hance of Columbia; a grandson James Hance of Dallas, Texas; a granddaughter and grandson in-law Sarah and William Short of Greenville, South Carolina; and a beloved grand-dog Lyla. Mary was preceded in death by her sister Beulah Summerlin Munoz of New Orleans, Louisiana.

A celebration of life will be held in Christ Chapel of Washington Street United Methodist Church on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 11:00 AM. The family would like to thank the staff at the Presbyterian Communities in Lexington, South Carolina, and Abbey Road Hospice for the love and support they provided Mary while she was a resident. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Washington Street United Methodist Church Foundation, 1401 Washington Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29201.