Burch Mitchell Sutton Jr

Burch Mitchell "Mitch" Sutton Jr, 69, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully, on March 12, 2023, surrounded by his family and close friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 18, at Paw Creek Presbyterian Church, 7400 Mt. Holly Road, Charlotte NC with the Rev. Elliott Hipp officiating. Visitation will precede the service from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM in the Church Parlor. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Mitch was born February 25, 1954, in Charlotte, NC, the eldest child of the late Burch Sutton Sr. and Sylvia Pruette Sutton. He was preceded in death by his nephew Bryan J. Auten of Charlotte; and cousin, Sammy Pruette of Rutherfordton, NC. He is survived by his sister Cynthia S. Auten of Surfside Beach, SC; four cousins, Linda Butler Bridges of Polkville, NC, Sandra Butler Weeks and Tammy Callahan of Ellenboro, NC, Libby B. Knight of Dillsboro, NC; his dear second family, The Sisk family of the Charlotte area; and a host of friends.

Mitch and his family lived in Ashley Park until 1964 when they moved to Coulwood, and they joined Paw Creek Presbyterian Church. Mitch had a fun childhood, spending a lot of good times with his family in Dillsboro and Ellenboro and the Sisk sisters – Debbie, Gail, Pam, Karen and Susan.  Celebrating many holidays and vacations together and traveling to see family in Forest City, he was "just one of the kids!" Mitch enjoyed roller skating, dancing, singing in the church choir, and playing piano. He graduated from West Mecklenburg High School in 1972 and played the clarinet in the marching band. He graduated from UNC-Charlotte, in 1976.

Mitch worked at Paul Derr, a retail store in Mount Holly, for many years.  The remainder of his career was spent as a Technology Project Manager and Systems Analyst at Carolinas Medical Center, until he retired in 2013.

While his career was very important to him, the biggest part of Mitch's life involved singing, dancing and horses.  Mitch loved music, and his favorite was anything Motown.  He also sang in the Paw Creek Church choir and with the North Mecklenburg Community Chorus.  He performed in musicals with Central Piedmont Community College.  He could dance the night away in the disco era, performing routines with friends at Club 2001.  He spent many years showing American Saddlebred Horses and spearheaded the Eastland Mall Saddlebred exhibit and the Belk's Saddlebred clothing line photo shoots.  At one time, he was President of ASAC (American Saddlebred Association of the Carolinas). Mitch enjoyed his life to the fullest and was very much a people person.  Many would say he was the life of the party.  Most importantly he loved to laugh and tell jokes.  He was truly a special man.

Prior to his passing, Mitch was able to share these thoughts. "Cindy, I love you and always will. To my family, I will miss you, I love you. Thank you to my doctors and caregivers for their support and compassion: Dr. Peter Justis, and Dr. Aristides Chachonas and beloved caregivers Ann Brooks, Blanche Jackson, and Twanna Moore, -- you're each a gift."

"Tremendous thanks to Karen Sisk, my primary caregiver for more than 7 years – Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.  Cannot thank you enough, you are amazing, your kindness is remarkable, sorry for being a pain. To the many dear friends, neighbors and loved ones who have been so kind and supportive through the years, love and thanks to each of you.  To Gail Sisk Gause, love you, grateful for you being in my life, oh the fun we had! To Merry Sisk Wylie thanks for the laughs, To Jan Parks, your friendship will always be treasured, can't wait for the next dance ladies."

Memorials can be made to Paw Creek Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, PO Box 64, Paw Creek, NC, 28130 or ASAC (American Saddlebred Association of the Carolinas) Mitch Sutton Promotional Efforts at 2266 Banks Mill Road Aiken SC 29803 or to asacsaddlebred.com .

Eggers Funeral Home of Cliffside, NC is serving the family.