Cora Ellen (Lassiter) Sutton

Ms. Cora E. Sutton, age 85, passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at Mary Gran Nursing Center, Clinton, N.C. Cora, or Cora Ellen (pronounced “Corellen”) as she was known, was born October 23rd, 1937 at home in Sampson County to Hedy and Lee Lassiter.  

Cora Ellen never had a boring day in her life. Fiery till the very end, she never shied away from voicing her opinion or being the center of attention. With her pocketbook in one hand and a tube of Revlon red lipstick in the other, she was always ready to make some trouble.

She was a teenage beauty queen, winning Miss Newton Grove and Miss Sampson County. Later, Cora attended Fayetteville Beauty College and worked as a cosmetologist, eventually opening her own shop next to her home called Ellen’s Salon of Beauty. She also spent time overseas and in Georgia, which she loved reminiscing about. 

After retiring, she spent her days growing gerbera daisies in her garden, collecting and caring for every cat that came her way, and being “Nanny Ellen” to her beloved grandchildren. She never gave up her beauty queen status and she was crowned Miss Mary Gran in her golden years. 

Ms. Sutton is preceded in death by her father, Lee Lassiter and her mother, Hedy Lassiter. 

She is survived by her sisters: Joyce Carolyn Sutton and Betty Jo Lassiter; Daughters: Jo Ellen Naylor and husband Kenneth; and Leigh Anne Faulkner; Grandchildren: Allyson Naylor and Dustin McCullen; Lindsey Naylor and Sunny Turner; Aaron Kapiko; Rachel Kapiko, and Grayson Kapiko.

A graveside service will be held Friday, January 27, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery, Newton Grove. Rev. Freddie Gooding will officiate the service. 

Online condolences may be made at: www.westanddunn.com

Services have been entrusted to West & Dunn Funeral Home, Newton Grove, N.C.

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