On Sunday, December 27, 2009, the message that Attorney Percy Sutton had passed saddened me, but I was suddenly reminded of the last day I saw him at Tuskegee University in April 2004. I was having breakfast with the two Tuskegee University students and one Delta College student who were studying aviation at Kansas State University and he came over to greet them. Everand, Tiji and Jarrett were all excited that he thought enough of them to take time to give them words of wisdom.  He encouraged them with thoughtful kind words of strength, love and support while telling them the importance of learning and flying for those to come after them.  He was so gracious and loving that I could hardly hold back my tears of joy as he spoke. History was in the making as these students had become the “New Tuskegee Airmen” and Attorney Sutton told them so. He spoke of his excitement to see Black young men flying and carrying on the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.

My dear friend, Tuskegee’ Associate Vice President Willa Hall Smith Smith and I had envisioned this partnership with TU and KSU and the glory of meeting The Honorable Percy Sutton was as if we all had just met the Modern Day Booker T. Washington.  Dr. Benjamin Payton, President of Tuskegee University later that day recognized the three students along with the living legends, The Tuskegee Airmen and Atty. Sutton turned around and through up his thumb and smiled at me as we all gleamed with pride and joy.  For me,  the tears flowed as I thought of the days activities of talking with Mr. Percy Sutton, The Tuskegee  Airmen and the full richness of Tuskegee University’s legacy as I watched history unfold before my eyes. I was so grateful that day to be in Alabama and to be apart of Booker T. Washington’s “unveiling” in modern day terms.  For me, it was history in the making and Dr. Percy Sutton, a true man of God, made
history come alive that day for all of us who were graced with a few minutes of his precious time. I salute you today, Attorney Sutton…may your legacy live forever!  Rest in Peace.

Respectfully submitted,

Suzanne Mynette Mayo-Theus
CEO, Mynette Management Company
Doctoral Candidate, Kansas State University