Arta was born on November 30, 1935 in Huntingtown, MD to Julius O’Neal and Mildred Cranford Bowen, and was raised in Huntingtown, MD. She graduated from Calvert High School (class of 1953), and went on to attend the University of Maryland, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing in 1957. She married Joseph Sutton in June 1957. She worked as the Director of Community Health Nursing at Calvert County Health Department for 32 years, as well as the Secretary of Community Nursing Director.

She and Joe built their home in Prince Frederick, later moving to Huntingtown to the home and farm where she was born and raised.

Arta was a devoted Christian and a loyal member of Huntingtown United Methodist Church. She and Joe were in charge of, and helped at many church dinners, and funeral luncheons. Above all, Arta was an extremely committed and faithful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her favorite television shows were General Hospital, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

She is survived by her son, Joseph R. Sutton, Jr. and his wife Deborah of Huntingtown, and her daughter, Melissa Miller and son-in-law, Jay Miller.  She was also survived by her grandsons, Kevin Miller and his wife Bernadette of Prince Frederick, and Andrew Miller and his wife Brittany of Prince Frederick,  a great grandson, Joseph Miller of Prince Frederick, nieces Jennifer Jones and husband Tommy of Huntingtown, and Connie Sutton of Prince Frederick, grand-nephews Justin Chavis and his wife Cristina of Huntingtown, and Ryan Chavis of Lusby,  a grand-niece, Kelsey Kohnke and her husband Eric, 3 great grandnieces – Chloe and Callie Chavis, and Emery Kohnke.

She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Sutton, her sister, Janet Kunkle, and her nephew, Michael Kunkle.