Son of Richard H. and Arina (Reed) Sutherland.

Alexander M. Sutherland was born at Elk Creek, Virginia, October 18th, 1853, and in the early morning of December 15th, 1935, closed his earthly career of 82 years, one month and 27 days.

On December 28th, 1876, he was happily married to Eliza Comer, of this place. To this union of 59 years, 11 months and 17 days, ten children were born; C. J. Sutherland, of Galax; Z. J. Sutherland, of Elk Creek; Mrs. Mary Shuler, of Broadway, Va.; Mrs. Minnie Shuler, Mrs. Ruth Taylor and L. M. and C. M. Sutherland, of Comers Rock.

Two of the children were called in infancy and in July, 1931, his dear son, Carl Sutherland, was called. This was a great shock, yet, in perfect submission, Uncle Alec stood steadfast in hope of someday, ere long of meeting him.

He was converted at the age of 17 in the old Lebanon church, Elk Creek, Va., under the preaching of a Godly saint, known and heard of by all Christian workers in this country, Brother Bob Sheffy. This man's earnestness and prayer and unwavering faith was daily manifested in Uncle Alec's life.

In his home, he was a Christian gentleman; as a husband and father, he was kind, self sacrificing and devoted. He provided economically, socially and spiritually for his own household. Few men were ever more wrapped up in the welfare of their loved one than he. The secret of his strength----he was a genuine religious man, deeply spiritual. He had great faith in God. God called and, like Abraham, he followed on and on. Every member of this church has heard his earnest prayers for the unsaved, his pleadings with the sinners and exhortations on the scripture, and this work was not just in our own church, but in many of the surrounding churches during his days of activity. His work in the militant church will remain, his familiar face will be seen no more among us. He slipped away to his Father's house of many mansions.

To the dear companion, who has lived for sixty years with this good man, and as you expressed it after his death, have worked, read your Bible, prayed and enjoyed your religion together, we don't feel competent to try to give spiritual comfort, but we do shed tears of sympathy and breathe a sincere prayer for you in this sad hour.

To the children, we would say: Father has left you a great heritage. You should take it and improve on it. It will be a mighty good home to measure up to the standard laid down by Father's. It will take earnest prayer, great consecration and faith in God to maintain it, but that faith, properly placed in God, our Father, will bring us all to the home of the soul.

Published in the Galax Gazette; Thurs., Dec. 26, 1935.