Command Sergeant Major Mary E. Sutherland

Command Sergeant Major Mary E. Sutherland, age 54 of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, passed away Sunday, August 14, 2005. She was a valiant soldier and courageous warrior throughout her life and in her final battle against cancer. She was born in Welch, West Virginia. She entered the Women’s Army Corps in June 1969. Her tours of duty included Germany, Bosnia, Honduras, and Italy, completing a lustrous career at U.S. Military Academy at West Point in West Point, New York. At the time of her retirement, CSM Sutherland was the Senior Enlisted person in the United States Army. She was the only woman of any rank in the U.S. Army to have been active duty for 35 years, earning her a place in Army history. Believing the Lord had led her, CSM Sutherland moved to Pigeon Forge in 2004. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Pigeon Forge. Her love for the Lord and her desire to be His servant, wherever He led, motivated her to volunteer in various capacities in the church especially in the children’s ministry. Among her surviving family are many friends from the Army, Iraq, Pigeon Forge and throughout the world, who became her family and loved her dearly. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 98, Pigeon Forge, TN, 37868, which will be used for Missions or Children’s Ministry. Memorial service 6 PM Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Pigeon Forge. Rev. Jeff Brooks will officiate. Interment will be in Post Cemetery in West Point, New York.