Ernest "Pete" Sutherland

Ernest Smith Sutherland, known to all as Pete, 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 2, 2025. Born April 26, 1943 in Nashville, Tennessee to Grace Cherney and Dr. Arthur Joseph Sutherland, Jr., Pete was preceded in death by his parents and three of his siblings, Dr. Arthur J. Sutherland III of Memphis, Mildred Sutherland Long of Nashville and Charles William Sutherland of Wilmington, NC.

Pete is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Patricia Clinard Sutherland, and their three daughters Grace Smith (Todd), Margaret Wellborn (Walter) and Susan Pina (Gus). He was a very proud grandfather to seven grandchildren: Evans Wellborn (Clair), Patrick Wellborn (Patricia), Zachary Smith (Landess), Mary Grace Smith, Julia Pina, Alex Pina and Nick Pina. He is also survived by his younger sister, Margaret “Mickey” Sutherland Pennington (Joe), of Tucson, Arizona.

Pete was the fourth of five children and attended Overbrook School, where he met Patricia in kindergarten in 1948. While waiting in her car during dismissal one afternoon, Pete walked by, and Patricia jumped out to kiss him, leaving him stunned. They dated on and off throughout their middle school years, and both attended Fortnightly, where they won the waltz and costume contest in eighth grade. Not surprisingly, or perhaps foreshadowing, their winning costume was that of a bride and groom.

After graduating from Father Ryan High School, he attended Vanderbilt University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in business and economics in 1965. He was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, where he developed many lifelong friendships. Upon graduating, he began his career at National Life, and he and Patricia married in July of 1965. His passion for architecture and interior design eventually led him to purchase Percy Cohen Furniture Showroom with his business partner Gilbert Templeton, in downtown Nashville. In 1985, he became president of Bradford Showroom in Memphis, Tennessee, where he and Patricia enjoyed making new friends and spending more time with his older brother, Art, and his family. Pete’s career led him home to Nashville 10 years later, where he was a lead designer and salesman at Sprintz Furniture for 20 years. His clients became his friends, and he took great pleasure in helping make their homes beautiful.

Pete and Patricia enjoyed traveling and exploring the world together, discovering new places and friends on numerous cruises. Pete also loved bridge, spending time with family and friends, and dancing the night away at social celebrations. He was often the life of the party and loved telling stories – and he could cut a rug!

When asked what he wanted to be remembered for, Pete simply said, “My girls.” 

In lieu of flowers, please offer a prayer in thanksgiving for a life well lived, and memorial donations may be made to The Dominican Campus (4210 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205), Room in the Inn (705 Drexel Street, Nashville, TN 37203) and AgeWell Middle Tennessee (P.O. Box 158309, Nashville, TN 37215) or online https://agewelltn.org/support.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. A private graveside service will be held at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens at 2:30 p.m.

A special thank you to the staff at NHC Cool Springs and ElderCARE, LLC who cared for Pete like family during the last month of his life.