Avanell Chesher Sutherland

Avanell Chesher Sutherland, age 91, of Louisville, Kentucky, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 17, 2026. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky on May 7,1934 to Ollie L. Chesher, Sr. and Louise Moss Chesher.

Avanell was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Henry (Hank) Sutherland; her parents Ollie L. Chesher, Sr. and Louise Moss Chesher; her brother Ollie L. Chesher, Jr.; and her sister Laverne C. Drane.

She is survived by her two daughters, Diane Sutherland Luczaj (Eric) and Carol Sutherland Harrington (Craig); four grandchildren Alexander Luczaj, Matthew Luczaj, Andrew Harrington (Tori), and Kaitlyn Harrington; and many special nephews and nieces.

Avanell attended Greathouse Elementary School and graduated from Atherton High School with first honors. She received a Bachelors degree from the University of Louisville where she met her husband, Henry (Hank) Sutherland. They married after she graduated from U of L. She worked for several years in her early married life for the Social Security Administration as a Claims Representative. She eventually quit her job to stay home and raise a family. She later returned to work as a Hearing Assistant for Administrative Law judges for the Social Security Administration.

Avanell lived in Madisonville, Kentucky while raising her family there. She was active at the First Baptist Church in Madisonville, volunteering in the Youth Department for many years. She joined the Westport Road Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky when she moved back to Louisville in the mid-1990’s. She also attended the Southeast Christian Chapel in the Woods.

Avanell loved talking to others and she was a great story teller. She enjoyed spending time with her family and she dearly loved her grandchildren. In her early years in Madisonville, she enjoyed gardening and growing flowers of all types. She loved animals, particularly dogs. She enjoyed attending her Sunday school class at First Baptist Church and later at Westport Road Baptist Church and greatly valued the friends that she met there. She was always wanting to help others whether it was family members, friends, young people from the Youth group at church, or someone she had just met.

In lieu of flowers, you can contribute to Kentucky Refugee Ministries or Wayside Christian Mission.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 28th, from 10:00 am until noon at the Arch L. Heady & Son Funeral Home, 7410 Westport Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40222. A memorial service will take place at noon followed by burial at the Bardstown Cemetery in Bardstown, Kentucky.