Roger Keith Sutherland, Sr. was born on August 19, 1960 in Memphis, Tennessee at St Joseph Hospital. He weighed a hefty 10lbs and 6 oz, making him the largest baby of eight children born to Louis Henry Sutherland II (deceased) and Clare Mae Bates Sutherland. He leaves behind his siblings; Sandra Ann Sutherland Wilburn, Louis Henry Sutherland III, Frank Allen Sutherland, Linda Carol Sutherland Crider, Kathy Dale Sutherland Wright, Mary Beth Sutherland Jones, and John Mark Sutherland (deceased).Roger was raised and educated in Millington, Tennessee and graduated from Millington Central High School in 1978. He was actively involved in school where he served as Student Council President and was a member of the Key Club, the Pep Club, Thespians and VICA just to name a few. He was voted as Who’s Who Most School Spirited and was selected to be a member of the Hall of Fame his senior year.
Roger was raised Southern Baptist and attended Oaklawn Baptist Church from birth till early 1979. That Spring he met Shelia Renee Rodgers and married her on November 2, 1979 at First United Pentecostal Church in Millington Tennessee. Roger worked in management most of his younger years at Kroger Grocery Stores. His heart was in sales and followed that career path to Ripley Tennessee in 1987, where he was the branch manager for Jim Walter Homes. His impeccable work ethics and top sales achievements then moved him to Meridian, Mississippi where he became the District Manager in 1989. Roger was eventually promoted to Regional Management and moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1998.
Roger and Shelia were the proud parents of four beautiful children: Chasity Renee Sutherland Frazier, Michele Renee Sutherland Burger, Heather Dawn Sutherland Steptoe, and Roger Keith Sutherland, Jr. After 26 years of marriage Roger and Shelia divorced in May of 2006. Roger reconnected with his longtime friend and married, Sarah Elizabeth Fogelman of Owensville, MO on April 2, 2009. Roger and Beth divorced in 2019.
Roger enjoyed many activities with family: boating, camping, fishing, metal detecting, grilling, woodworking, singing, playing the piano and watching his favorite gospel music singers Vestal Goodman and Bill Gaither to name a few. Roger passed from this life on July 2, 2020 in the comfort of his own home.
Roger is survived by his four children – Chasity Renee Sutherland Frazier, Michele Renee Sutherland Burger and spouse Michael Stephen Burger, Heather Dawn Sutherland Steptoe and spouse Sherman Ray Steptoe, Roger Keith Sutherland, Jr. and spouse Wasfiah Candice Sutherland.
Roger is survived by his 10 Grandchildren: Addison Hope Frazier, Jude Loren Frazier, Katelyn Paige Burger, Madelyn Claire Burger, Emma Isabella Burger, Sherman Ray Steptoe II, Zion Rayshawn Steptoe, Peighton Rilee Sutherland Steptoe, Serenity Ella Steptoe, Vivian Sutherland.
Roger is survived by his 10 Grandchildren: Addison Hope Frazier, Jude Loren Frazier, Katelyn Paige Burger, Madelyn Claire Burger, Emma Isabella Burger, Sherman Ray Steptoe II, Zion Rayshawn Steptoe, Peighton Rilee Sutherland Steptoe, Serenity Ella Steptoe, Vivian Sutherland.
