Nina Ruth Suttles

Nina Ruth Suttles, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on October 1 at the age of 95. Born on September 1, 1930, in Mansfield, Arkansas, Nina lived a life marked by faith, family, and quiet strength. She was the third of seven children born to George and Mattie Nolen. Her parents and siblings Sue, Jessie, Jim, Liz, Don, and Velma preceded her in death. She would recount her life as being immensely blessed by loving parents and siblings. In June of 1944, Nina moved with her family to Reedley, California, where she graduated from Reedley High School in 1948. On July 4, 1952, she married the love of her life, Bob Suttles. Together, they built a home founded on a deep faith in Jesus Christ, love, and plenty of laughter. They raised their four children in Selma, California, where they lived for 46 years. In 1998, Nina and Bob moved to Visalia, California, to enjoy their retirement years. Bob preceded her in death in 2001. In high school, Nina was a proud participant on the "A" Speedball Team at Reedley High, and years later would play soccer or baseball with the grandkids until she was almost 80! In her post high school years, she worked for Farmers Insurance, Pacific Bell, and later for the Selma Unified School District. She also volunteered her time teaching elementary students in an elective program called, "Release Time Education," which was a faith-based program operated through Selma Unified. She also taught Sunday School for many years. After her husband's passing, she committed the next 17 years to visiting shut-ins in nursing homes along with her best friend, Irene Lawson. They also helped with Sunday church services in local care facilities. She was often known to bring Costco hotdogs or pies to patients who could no longer get out to enjoy those simple pleasures. Nina is survived by her four children: Stan Suttles and his wife Sonie of Tulsa, OK, Kathy Suttles Gross of Winchester, CA, Donna Romer, her husband Chuck of Visalia, and Tom Suttles and his wife, Andrea of Sanger. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Phyllis Suttles of Waldron, Arkansas as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Nina was a proud grandmother to 11 grandchildren - Samantha Wagner, Katie Hembree, Nathan Gross, Stacy Snow, James Gross, Brandon Romer, Ben Romer, Krista Romer, Jonathan Suttles, and Matthew Suttles. She was also blessed to be a great-grandmother to 12 great-grandchildren. Known affectionately as "Mother" and "Grandma" to her growing family, Nina's legacy lives on in the lives she touched with her gentle spirit, unwavering faith, and quiet wisdom. Her children will always remember her faithful love for God and recall hearing her early morning prayer times as she prayed for many people; this was a discipline she practiced throughout her life. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished. A celebration of Nina's life will be held on Thursday, October 16 - 10:00 AM, at the "Pavilion" in Reedley District Cemetery, 2185 S. Reed in Reedley, CA. The family would like to thank American Quality Life Hospice for their outstanding care and TLC Assisted Living for the loving, dignified, and professional care they provided for our mom. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Visalia Rescue Mission. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Nina Ruth Suttles

September 1, 1930 - October 1, 2025