KEYSVILLE, Sept. 17 – Herman Reeves Suttles, beloved father and grandfather, 88, of Keysville, passed away Monday, September 14, 2009 after a lengthy illness. He was born March 1, 1921 in Buncombe County, NC, the third of nine children born to Andrew L. Suttles and LelaMae Davis Suttles. He attended school in a one room school house at Sandy Mush, NC.

He enlisted in the Army after the December 7, 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor and served in the Pacific during World War II. After the war he returned to the states and met the love of his life, Edwilda (Eddy) Lillian LaFleur, she had also served in the Army during the war. They married and lived in housing at Fort Belvoir. After Herman was Honorably Discharged he continued to serve his country as a Mechanic Supervisor. He won many awards for his work ethic and service.

As a young husband and father, he built two homes for his growing family. He and Eddy later traveled all over the country. They had homes in Virginia, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Herman took great pride in raising a great garden every year. They enjoyed friends in bowling leagues, and a square dance club. Herman coached Little League and helped with school teams whenever possible. He was a “Chevy” man all the way and rebuilt many classic cars and trucks. He won awards at Car Shows and Parades. An avid Redskins fan, he never missed a game.

But over all this, he found his greatest joy with his family where he thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren and cherished every moment with his great-grandchildren.

Mr. Suttles was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years in January 2006.

He is survived by two sisters; one brother; his daughters, Shirley Patrick of Lakeside, AZ, Joanne Frederick (James) of Keysville, Joyce Lennox of Tucson, AZ, “adopted” daughter, Linda Rogers (Ken) of Tow, TX and son, Buddy Suttles (Sue) of China Lake, CA; 14 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Browning-Duffer Funeral Home with interment at a later date in the Tow Cemetery next to Eddy.

The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home, Keysville, is in charge of arrangements.