Garlington Jerome (GJ) Sutton was the eight child of Samuel and Lillian Sutton, renowned educators and business leaders on San Antonio’s east side. He led Sutton and Sutton Funeral Home, the oldest mortuary in San Antonio, alongside his brother Samuel, Jr. Mr. Sutton was also very active in the community. A strong advocate for education, he served as a Board Member of the San Antonio Union Junior College District, which played a role in funding for St. Phillips College, an HBCU. Mr. Sutton was also the first African American elected to the State Legislature from San Antonio.