Robert Suddeth Obituary

SUDDETH, Robert Robert Minter Suddeth, 86, of Clayton, died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, at Mountain Lakes Medical Center. He was born Oct. 10, 1920, in Greer, S.C., to A.P. and Myrtle Hannon Suddeth. He lived in Greer until he was of high school age, when he moved with family to Coral Gables, Fla. He finished high school at Ponce de Leon High School and graduated from the University of Miami. He entered the U.S. Navy's early enlistment program in college and graduated as an ensign. He then went to midshipmen's school at Columbia University in New York City. Upon graduation, he was promoted to lieutenant junior grade. He later became captain of the USS Chase, a submarine chaser, then the USS Feckler, which he turned over to Russians in 1946 in Alaska after the war. He saw duty in the Philippines, Shanghai and Pearl Harbor. He retired from the Navy in 1946 and joined Altex Manufacturing Co. with brother Jim and local businessman Hub Lesley in Clayton. He married Mary Cathryn White in 1949 and moved to Summerville, S.C., in March 1954. After Altex was sold, he built Dorchester Brick with Meders Salisbury, a Summerville brick manufacturer. They later sold to Merry Bros., now Boral Brick. He then developed Lake Moultrie Shores, which he turned into Bonneau Estates with a partner. He served on Summerville's city council for 10 years, including a term as mayor pro tem. He returned to Clayton in 1994 after suffering a stroke. He was a member of Summerville Baptist Church, where he was a deacon. He also was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by: a brother, James H. Suddeth; a sister, Sara Suddeth Severud; and a daughter, Susan Suddeth Ayers. Survivors include: his wife of 58 years, Mary Cathryn White Suddeth of Clayton; three sons and two daughters-in-law, R.M. "Randy" Suddeth Jr. of Clayton, Richard White and Catherine Suddeth of Arlington, Va., James Matthew and Kristi Suddeth of Lake Ridge, Va.; his daughter, Mary Elizabeth "Lisa" Suddeth Buchanan; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a nephew; a niece; a grandnephew; and a great-grandnephew. Funeral services were held Wednesday at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Burial followed at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, where he was placed next to his daughter. Hunter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.