March 23, 1923 – Nov. 21, 2018

Anita Mae was the only child born to William Vinton and Edith Gertrude (Johnson) Campbell on March 23, 1923 in Urbana, Illinois. She attended schools in Urbana and graduated from Santa Monica High in California.

She met the love of her life, James C. (Jim) Sutton Jr., a handsome Navy pilot, during World War II. After three dates and several months of letters exchanged, they were married in Santa Monica on Feb. 18, 1945, a marriage that would last for 73 years.

Anita passed away on Nov. 21. She is survived by her much loved and loving husband, Jim, four children: Christine (Arnie) Preheim, Lake View Terrace; Judy (Bob) Kenagy, Washington; Jim III, Tujunga; and Joyce Wainwright, Colorado; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. 

For 18 years Anita was a devoted and supportive mother and wife during Jim’s U.S. Navy career that included tours of duty in California, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, Hawaii and Washington, D.C. For 54 years she and Jim resided in their Tujunga home following his military retirement. Anita was the docent secretary for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association in the 1970s. She was a volunteer at Verdugo Hills Hospital for 30 years. 

Anita was a woman of grace and encouragement and a good listener to her many friends and family members. It seems fitting that on the day of her death she had a brief phone call with all of her grandchildren and other family members around the world. Her faith in Jesus Christ was strong and steady and she was prepared for leaving this world to be with Him. Her family mourns her departure from this life but looks forward to joining her in heaven some day.

A memorial service is planned for Friday, Jan. 4 a.m. 11 a.m. at La Crescenta Community Life Church, 4441 La Crescenta Ave. 

Funeral directors: www.CrippenMortuary.com