JANS – Thanksgiving came a little early for Donald Sutton who was presented with the Community Educator of the Year Award by the Watson Family and endorsed by the City of Hazlehurst and Copiah County.  The special recognition, usually given during the Thanksgiving holiday, was presented October 21, 2023, at the Copiah County Ministerial Center in Hazlehurst, MS during the 70th birthday celebration for Lucas Watson, a highly regarded social worker in central and south Mississippi. 

Sutton is a graduate of Alcorn State University with a major in Business Administration/Business Education. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

After college he spent four years in the United States Air Force. Soon after, he returned to Mississippi, where he has held several positions, including a Human Resources position with United Parcel Services (UPS), several years as Financial Aid Director at Tougaloo College, and  as General Supervisor in various positions at Delphi Packard Electric Systems (General Motors). This is where he retired.

Sutton has also served his community in such positions as school board member for the Hazlehurst City School District and financial secretary/trustee at St. Peter Rescue Mission Church.

He is married to Dr. Betty D. Sutton and is the proud father of five children.