Mitchell Alsobrook Sutherland

1928 - 2021

Mitchell Alsobrook Sutherland
July 24, 2021
Lexington, South Carolina - Mitchell Alsobrook Sutherland, 92, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2021 at his residence at the Columbia Presbyterian Community in Lexington, SC.
Mitchell was born in Antioch, Plant City, FL on November 22, 1928, and was the eighth of eleven children of William Morris Sutherland and Rosa Jameson Sutherland. He spent much of his childhood with his siblings working on the family farm and exploring the many nearby springs. Mitchell also worked as a lifeguard at the local Hillsborough State Park. He attended the Strawberry School and graduated from Plant City High School in 1948. He excelled as an athlete and briefly attended the University of Tampa on a football scholarship. He transferred to the newly formed Florida State University in Tallahassee where he was a mainstay and relay anchor on its NCAA Swimming Team. He graduated FSU in 1952 and is one of the 'First 100' of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
Mitchell was drafted into the US Army and was stationed at Fort Jackson, SC where he served as a Drill Instructor and a member of the US Third Army Swimming Team. While in Columbia, he worked with the coaching staff at the University of South Carolina as a swimming coach and water safety instructor. It was here where he met Glendle Louise McGill and they were married on August 12, 1957.
Mitchell was employed by the C. Douglas Wilson Company in Anderson, SC as Vice President of their mortgage banking operations. He served in many civic, professional, and church organizations. He was involved with the Greenville and Anderson Jaycees and The Sertoma Club International where he served multiple terms as President. He led the 'Men of the Church' organization of the SC Piedmont Presbytery and organized community and church leaders to create the Anderson Community Development Corporation - a non-profit dedicated to building and providing housing to disadvantaged families. He was a founding member of the Anderson Homebuilder's Association and served in several Board capacities. He returned to Columbia in 1978 to accept a position with the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. He remained a longtime member of both the South Carolina and National Board of Realtors where he held many leadership roles over his long real estate career.
Mitchell remained an ardent FSU fan and was a lifetime member of their Alumni Association and Varsity Club. Mitch had many friends in the FSU administration and varsity coaching staff. He was a longtime associate of the South Carolina Chapter of the FSU Alumni Association where a scholarship endowment fund is named in his honor. Mitchell was also a great storyteller with a sharp memory. His family and friends greatly enjoyed endless colorful tales of his adventures and of his many friends and relatives.
Mitchell was predeceased by his wife, Glendle McGill Sutherland (1970). Surviving are sons, Dr. Mitchell A. "Brook" Sutherland, Jr. and his wife, Jeannine Jorett Sutherland of Johns Creek, GA and William M. "Bill" Sutherland and his wife, Susan Bahm Sutherland of Bloomfield Hills, MI. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Kristi Louise Sutherland, Kevin William Sutherland, Stephen Jack Sutherland, Glendle Cameron Sutherland, Kyle Jameson Sutherland, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was loved by many.
A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel at caughmanlexington.com.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice or to the Mitchell A. Sutherland Scholarship Fund of the South Carolina Midlands FSU Association at https://one.fsu.edu/foundation/donate/give-online?fid=HUS42SFQkSY%3D&fdesc=bx793LdtcrsoRnlh25AGFmer%2B60Va24EdpCMN9udMKiT%2BK%2F%2F28MdljD4gfbPLoDXW3%2Bf0FXkLsysACivMApL0HCc3%2BEW2lSG
A private burial will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Anderson, SC.
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