Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

June 15, 2017

Our Mother, Grandmother, Cousin, and dear friend, Deanna Sue “Sudy” Schultz passed away in her home in Charlotte after a lengthy illness with pulmonary fibrosis. She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on January 28, 1939 to Samuel Albert McCutcheon and Beulah Gertrude Ford.  Her parents divorced at a young age and her Mother was remarried to Kenneth Metz Goode.  She was raised in Arkansas most of her life where her stepfather was a preacher with the Methodist church. She had 2 families growing up and the McCutcheon family always held a special place in her heart, especially her cousin Sammye Jo Auman, of Asheboro, NC, who has been the link to the McCutcheon side of the family throughout her life.  In accordance with Deanna’s wishes there will be no service and she will be cremated. Her final resting home is being determined at a later date. 

Deanna lived in several towns in Arkansas as her Stepfather was relocated every few years or so to a different church. But the towns that were closest to her heart were Salem and Bryant, Arkansas and where her “sister” friend, Carol Rushing still lives. They have kept in touch with each other since they were young girls, and to this day would talk and laugh about the old times and since “Sudy” was an only child they have always held a special bond.

Deanna graduated from Bryant High School, in Bryant, Arkansas in 1957, and soon after graduation she met Curven Victor Gearhart who was in the USAF. They fell in love and were married shortly after her graduation. One of her greatest memories was of living in Okinawa for 2 years, that was an experience she never forgot and would talk about what an adventure that was.

She eventually made Dayton, Ohio her home as her husband was stationed in Dayton with the USAF. Her 3 children were her world, Andrea Robin Beachley (Andy) of Charlotte, Vanessa Gail Moore (Bobby) of Minerva, Ohio, and Kevin Alexander Gearhart (Kistin), of Wichita, Kansas. She is preceded in death by her second husband, Robert Schultz, and a grandson, Hayden Stutz, of Canton, Ohio. She is survived by 2 grandchildren, Jason Stutz and Parker Beachley. She dearly loved all her grandsons! She is also survived by a daughter of the heart, Amanda Victoria Heinle (Anthony) of Lake Wylie and 3 granddaughters of the heart, Natalie, Madeline, and Isabelle. It was fun for her to see them in all their cuteness and Amanda was always so kind to our “Gayma” as her grandson, Parker, called her and she became known as to the family.

In Dayton, Deanna was employed by the Montgomery County Board of Mental Retardation and Disability service for several years and by the Indiana Insurance Company, where she made a lifelong friend, Pat Lewis, they shared a special friendship and checked in with each other almost daily.

Deanna was an avid animal lover of all kinds of animals, particularly cats and dogs. She never met an animal she didn’t love!  She left behind her faithful kitty, Carmela, that was a constant source of companionship to her in her home. Deanna’s special neighbor, Tess, also shared their her love of cats, and Tess was so kind to always check in on her. She loved seeing the animals in her neighborhood that her neighbors were walking, she particularly was fond of Bingo, and Bingo’s Mom and Dad, Jake and Missy who came over frequently for visits with little Bingo.  Those visits made her day!

Deanna was an avid reader and follower of current events, she was a sharp witted, funny woman and she loved to have a marguerita! She loved being on and in the water and trips to the beach, even though she never learned to swim, being around the water was a passion of hers. She loved trips on the boat with her daughter, Robin’s family, on Lake Wylie as the wind in her face made her feel more comfortable and happy. Her struggle with pulmonary fibrosis was tough and it had become more difficult for her to live the life and have the freedom that she desired so much. When going through her things her daughter found a poem that she had handwritten on an index card and the words seemed to fit the destiny of her life so well.

Invictus                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be, for my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance my head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears, looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years, finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

Memorials may be made in Deanna’s name to the Humane Society of Charlotte.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Services, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204. Online condolences at www.kennethpoeservices.com Phone: 704 641-7606