Elizabeth Steger

Elizabeth Sutton Steger was born on July 7, 1933, in Molena, Georgia. She was the fourth of five children born to Frank Benjamin Sutton, Sr. and Hattie Knight Sutton. In 1941, the family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she completed her formal education within the public school system. After her graduation from Howard High School, she attended Edward Waters University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She pursed her education at the Gammon Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master of Arts Degree. Subsequently, she had a distinguished career as a public-school teacher in Florida and North Carolina before retiring to dedicate herself to a life of service. While living in Chattanooga, she met the person who would become her life partner. On June 1, 1956, she married Clarence Donald Steger. They raised a daughter, Lisa Monique Steger and were together for sixty-five years. Throughout their years of marriage, they resided in Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina, where he served as the inaugural First Lady of Reeder Memorial Baptist Church, where her husband was the pastor until his retirement. She actively participated in the North Carolina Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows (Interdenominational) and spoke at numerous events throughout her career. On Tuesday, February 11th, she peacefully passed away in her sleep and departed her earthly body and took her flight to be with the Lord in Glory. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Donald Steger; parents; brother; John Benjamin Sutton, who passed away before her birth; sisters, Julia Mae Hollins and Charmie Ree Brewer; youngest brother, Frank Benjamin Sutton; nephews, Robert L. Hollins, Gregory N. Hollins, Anthony N. Hollins, and Ralph J. Hollins. Leaving to cherish her precious memory is her daughter, Lisa M. Steger; grandson; granddaughter, Josuah L. Steger and Jordan M. Drakeford; great-grandsons, Josiah and Roman Steger both of North Carolina; six nephews, Artis (Patricia) Hollins, Alonzo (Charlesia) Brewer, Dexter Brewer, Spencer (Kimberly) Brewer, Reginald (Maria) Brewer, Derek Brewer; nieces, Charmie A. Scott, Elizabeth (Michael) Lawings, Kimberly Bulter, Vivian (Jeff) Smith; a special loving sister-in-law, Fannie Bone; a treasured friend, MaePaul Boone; a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. She will lie-in-state on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel. Burial on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Highland Memorial Gardens.

Elizabeth Steger

July 7, 1933 - February 11, 2025