Mr. A.B. Sutherland, 76, of Calhoun, passed away Monday, August 6, 2012 at his residence. He was born in Gordon County on August 21, 1935, son of the late W.A. and Leona Sheriff Sutherland. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Peggie West Sutherland; an infant daughter, Teresa Ann Sutherland on May 19, 1958; in-laws, F.O. and Lillie West; brothers, Howard Sutherland and Hubert Sutherland; sisters, Gladys Padgett and Lorien Jackson.

A.B. was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was known and loved by all, never meeting a stranger. He served his country as a Private 1st Class in the United States Army for three years, and received the National Defense Service Medal during the Korean War. In 1965, A.B. was ordained as a deacon into the Baptist faith. He served at South Calhoun Baptist Church for 16 years and Eastgate Baptist Church for 31 years, where he was also a Lay member. For years he served as a Reserve Deputy for the Gordon County Sheriff’s Department. In 2009, A.B. received an award from the Oothcalooga Masonic Lodge for 50 years of service. He is retired from the Gordon County School System where he served as a bus driver at Belwood Elementary School for 31 years and for 20 plus years drove the athletic teams to basketball and football games for Calhoun High School. He was a poultry and cattle producer his entire adult life.

Survivors include a daughter, Myra Stamey and her husband Mike; two sons, Gary Sutherland and his wife Joan, and Kurt Sutherland, all of Calhoun; grandchildren, Melea and Mickey Cook of Franklin, Ga., Matthew and Tiffany Stamey, Alex Sutherland, Katie Sutherland, Aaron Sutherland, and Amilee Sutherland, all of Calhoun; a brother Dallas Sutherland of Calhoun, two sisters, Bertha Thomas and Edna Mae McDougle of Calhoun; a nephew, Kenneth Sutherland and his wife Latricia of Calhoun, along with other nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. A.B. Sutherland were held Wednesday, August 8 at 2 p.m. from the Eastgate Baptist Church, with eulogy by Kenneth Sutherland, and Rev. Clinton Green and Rev. Kenny Rogers officiating, with Rev. Jimmy Faith conducted the committal service. Interment followed in the family lot at Blackwood Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearersl included Kurt Sutherland and his son Aaron Sutherland, Gary Sutherland and his son Alex Sutherland, and Mike Stamey and his son Matthew Stamey. Honorary pallbearers were Fred Chastain, Robert Craig, Bobby Dodd, Donnie Ralston, Sid Roberts, Ricky Smith, Kenneth Sutherland, Wesley Thomas, Lane Towe, Todd West, Robbie White, and Luke White.

The Sutherland family received friends at Eastgate Baptist Church Tuesday from 5-9 p.m., and Wednesday until the funeral hour.

Online condolences may be expressed and the guest book signed at www.maxbrannonandsons.com. Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home, a legacy of compassion and care, is in charge of funeral arrangements.