Stella M. Sutherland

Stella Martha McMasters Sutherland, age 95, was born in Texarkana, AR., the first of five children of Artres J. and Laly Gora McMasters. She died February 5, 2018 and was preceded in death by her parents and siblings-Velma Jeffus, James McMasters, Katherine Swint, and Colleen McMasters.

Stella attended Madison College in 1942 where she met and later married Robert W. Sutherland, her husband of 63 years. Together they had three children: Robert Michael (deceased shortly after birth), Michael Shaen (wife Maxine) of Royal Palm Beach, FL and Claudia Jo (husband Ron) Woolsey of Witts Springs, AR.

Stella was a resident of Madison and Goodlettsville, TN for 55 years during which she worked as secretary/office manager for doctors J E Sutherland, Harry Witztum, William Coopwood and Rudy Broomes. Following her retirement, she was a volunteer at Tennessee Christian and Skyline Medical Centers for 18 1/2 years-- logging in some 11,400 hours of service.

For over 50 years, Stella was a member of Boulevard Seventh-day Adventist Church in Madison where she held various positions including 30 years as church clerk. She was active in the youth departments, community services, Pathfinders, and assisted with many other programs of outreach, visitation, and Bible study. She always had a warm smile and hug for everyone. It was her desire to help others learn to know Jesus as their friend and Savior.

In 2008, Skyline Medical Center awarded Stella the Frist Humanitarian Award recognizing her exemplary service to patients and the healthcare community, and for her genuine concern for the welfare of others, and her outstanding commitment to humanitarian values.

Family meant a great deal to Stella and she expanded the immediate family to those who needed a caring, listening friend ...to the extent that a number of young people actually lived in her home over the years or called her "Mama Stella" . In addition to her own children, she is survived by grandchildren Derek Rose (wife Jenee), Zachary and Natalie Woolsey, Benjamin Aubrey and great-grandson Caden Rose, brothers-in-law Duke & Dan Sutherland, sisters-in-law Donna & Angie Sutherland as well as nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Visitation is Wednesday, February 14, 2-3 pm at Forest Lawn.

Funeral service to follow at 3pm

Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 1150 Dickerson Rd, Goodlettsville, TN , 615-859-5279