Obituary for Suttie "Sunny" Economy
Suttie “Sunny” Economy, 95, of Salem, Virginia, was born Charles Buda on October 30, 1925 on Church Avenue in Roanoke, Virginia, the son of Virginia Kosma Michele Buda and John Lucas Buda. Suttie passed away peacefully on Friday, May 7, 2021, with his daughter by his side. He went to school with Annie Uldine Massey who became the love of his life and they were married in 1955. He told her that she would never have to work a day in her life.
Suttie was drafted in 1944 into the United States Navy. He served on the USS English DDS 696. He was a gang plank owner. The USS English was part of the 3rd and 5th Fleet and Suttie served in the ammunition and supply room. The USS English’s job was to protect larger vessels like aircraft carriers and to pick up downed airmen. He spent most of his time in the Pacific Theatre, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and in the Philippines. In May of 1945, during the Okinawa Campaign the crew aboard the USS English helped rescue many men. They escorted the heavily damaged USS Franklin and the USS Bunker Hill after the aircraft was hit by kamikaze attacks. They were the first ship in the Tokyo Bay at the end of the war. He visited the ruins of Nagasaki after the atomic bombs had been dropped. He was discharged on February 19, 1946. His second day back home he returned to help at this uncle’s restaurant.
Suttie and Annie owned and operated two restaurants, the Clover Lunch and Sun-Ann’s Restaurant. She worked side by side with her husband. Their only daughter, Della Ann Economy Bryant, was born in 1960.
He was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Much of his later years have been dedicated to remembering veterans who have given their lives as the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Many business cards have been handed out in remembrance of all veterans. He recommended that you read these books that pertain to the war. Those books are Halsey’s Typhoon, Danger’s Hour, and the Indianapolis. In addition, he has worked to help organize and maintain veteran’s memorials like Lee Plaza in downtown Roanoke. He is well known for handing out Juicy Fruit gum to all that he met.
Suttie was a very proud and patriotic veteran and believed that every citizen should take time to visit the war memorial and appreciate the cost that was paid by the veterans who sacrificed to give and allow us to keep our Liberty.
Suttie was preceded in death by his father, John Buda; mother, Virginia Economy; stepfather, Harry Economy; wife of 56 years, Annie Massey Economy; sisters, Annie Gilley and Mary Robertson; brother, George Buda; and nephews, Junior Robinson and William Bonnie Robinson.
Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Della and Mark Bryant; brothers, James Economy, Alex Economy, and John Economy; sister, Connie Jenkins; and numerous nephews and nieces.
The family would like to extend their special thanks to the VA Care Center, Salem EMS and Police Department, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital Palliative Care, Good Samaritan Hospice, and Home Instead Health Care.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church conducted by Father Nikolaos Galanopoulos. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park with Military Honors. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Monday, May 10, 2021, at Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel where the Trisagion Service will be held at 7 p.m. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.oakeys.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Huntington Blvd., NE, Roanoke, VA 24012.
May His Memory Be Eternal
Church Guidelines for attending the service.
1 - Must call the church office at 540-362-3601 to register, giving them your name and contact number.
2 - Must wear mask.
3 - 50/60 people allowed inside.
4- Please observe Social Distancing.
Suttie was drafted in 1944 into the United States Navy. He served on the USS English DDS 696. He was a gang plank owner. The USS English was part of the 3rd and 5th Fleet and Suttie served in the ammunition and supply room. The USS English’s job was to protect larger vessels like aircraft carriers and to pick up downed airmen. He spent most of his time in the Pacific Theatre, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and in the Philippines. In May of 1945, during the Okinawa Campaign the crew aboard the USS English helped rescue many men. They escorted the heavily damaged USS Franklin and the USS Bunker Hill after the aircraft was hit by kamikaze attacks. They were the first ship in the Tokyo Bay at the end of the war. He visited the ruins of Nagasaki after the atomic bombs had been dropped. He was discharged on February 19, 1946. His second day back home he returned to help at this uncle’s restaurant.
Suttie and Annie owned and operated two restaurants, the Clover Lunch and Sun-Ann’s Restaurant. She worked side by side with her husband. Their only daughter, Della Ann Economy Bryant, was born in 1960.
He was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Much of his later years have been dedicated to remembering veterans who have given their lives as the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Many business cards have been handed out in remembrance of all veterans. He recommended that you read these books that pertain to the war. Those books are Halsey’s Typhoon, Danger’s Hour, and the Indianapolis. In addition, he has worked to help organize and maintain veteran’s memorials like Lee Plaza in downtown Roanoke. He is well known for handing out Juicy Fruit gum to all that he met.
Suttie was a very proud and patriotic veteran and believed that every citizen should take time to visit the war memorial and appreciate the cost that was paid by the veterans who sacrificed to give and allow us to keep our Liberty.
Suttie was preceded in death by his father, John Buda; mother, Virginia Economy; stepfather, Harry Economy; wife of 56 years, Annie Massey Economy; sisters, Annie Gilley and Mary Robertson; brother, George Buda; and nephews, Junior Robinson and William Bonnie Robinson.
Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Della and Mark Bryant; brothers, James Economy, Alex Economy, and John Economy; sister, Connie Jenkins; and numerous nephews and nieces.
The family would like to extend their special thanks to the VA Care Center, Salem EMS and Police Department, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital Palliative Care, Good Samaritan Hospice, and Home Instead Health Care.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church conducted by Father Nikolaos Galanopoulos. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park with Military Honors. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Monday, May 10, 2021, at Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel where the Trisagion Service will be held at 7 p.m. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.oakeys.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Huntington Blvd., NE, Roanoke, VA 24012.
May His Memory Be Eternal
Church Guidelines for attending the service.
1 - Must call the church office at 540-362-3601 to register, giving them your name and contact number.
2 - Must wear mask.
3 - 50/60 people allowed inside.
4- Please observe Social Distancing.