Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

October 15, 2017

Guy Everett Suddreth Jr., 85 of Charlotte passed away October 15, 2017. A native of Charlotte, he was the son of the late Guy E. Suddreth, Sr. and Catherine Harris Suddreth. He was a graduate of the class of 1950 at Tech High School in Charlotte. He worked in the family grocery store on North Davidson Street as a child and later ran the store. He served as President of the Charlotte Retail Grocers Association and in 1961 served as President of the North Carolina Food Dealers Association before becoming Executive Vice President of the North Carolina Food Dealers Association for 43 years until his retirement in 2004. As a grocer, he served on the Board of the National Grocers Association, President of Food Industry Association Executives, and Board Member of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. In 1976 the North Carolina Department of Agriculture honored him as “Man of the Year” for his contributions to agriculture where he worked closely with farmers, processors and retailers for the promotion of North Carolina products over the years. In 2004 he received “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine”, North Carolina’s Highest Honor bestowed upon a civilian for service to his State. In 2005, the Carolinas Food Industry Council established the Trudy and Everett Suddreth Scholarship Fund in recognition of Mr. Suddreth’s decades of excellent service to the food industry. Since 2005 over 300 college scholarships have been awarded to deserving youth who have worked or have parents that have worked in the supermarket industry to further their education.

Mr. Suddreth was active in civic affairs having served on campaigns of the United Way, member of the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society and member of the Charlotte Mecklenburg County Planning and Zoning Commission. He served on the Charlotte Auditorium Coliseum Authority from 1965-1980 serving as Chairman for two terms. He was on the Board of Advisors of Aldersgate, a Methodist Retirement Community in Charlotte. Mr. Suddreth was a long-time member of Dilworth United Methodist Church having served in almost every capacity including Sunday School Class President, Chairman of the Commission on Finance, Sunday School Superintendent, Chairman of the Commission of Education, president of the Men’s Club, member and Vice Chairman of the Ministries Council, member of the Administrative Board and member and Vice-Chairman of the Staff/Parish relations committee.

He was married to his High School sweetheart, Trudy, for 67 years. He was a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. In addition to his wife, Mr. Suddreth is survived by his, daughter Debbie Inman and her husband, Wayne of Charlotte, son Bob Suddreth and his wife, Ruth of Concord, Grandchildren Chris Inman and his wife, Natalie of Pineville, Lindsay Inman of Nashville, TN, Sarah Suddreth of Dallas, TX, Rob Suddreth of Concord, and Lucy Suddreth of Atlanta, GA. Brothers, Frank Suddreth and his wife, Sara, David Suddreth and his wife, June, Richard Suddreth and his wife, Brenda; Brother-in-Law, Charlie Willis and his wife, Jean, numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Mr. Suddreth’s life will be held Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Dilworth United Methodist Church, 605 East Blvd. in Charlotte. In lieu of flowers the family asks that Memorials be made to Dilworth United Methodist Church, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina or the charity of donor’s choice. We would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and medical professionals that provided care to Mr. Suddreth over the last five years during his illness.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.