Barbara Sue HillsBurlington, KS

arbara Sue Sutton Hills passed away peacefully on Monday, September 21, 2026, with her husband Jim beside her holding her hand.

Barbara was born in Paola, Kansas, January 7, 1952. Her parents were V. Lowell Sutton and Arline E. Marcellus Sutton. She was welcomed home to join her two sisters, Jean and Ann. Barb graduated from Paola High School in 1970, attended Kansas State University, joined the workforce, then completed her education at Emporia State University with a degree in Business Administration/Home Economics.

Barb and Jim were married on January 10, 1987, at her parent’s home in Ottawa. They made their first home in Garnett. Son, Austin, joined the family on July 15, 1988, and was greeted by his sister Jen. Barba and Jim purchased Burlington Auto Supply in 1991and moved to Burlington the following year. She retired from USD #244 as a BMS Paraprofessional in 2019. She continued working alongside Jim at Burlington Auto Supply until recently.

Barb was the textbook definition of a planner. Her skills provided her family with travel destinations to cover the United States from East to West and North to South. Jim’s idea of a great trip was a Sunday afternoon drive on the gravel backroads of Coffey County.

Barb leaves her husband of 39 years, Jim; daughter Jen of Lawrence along with son, Austin and wife Kaylee of Lawrence, along with two bright faced grandsons, Jaxton and Hudson; sisters, Jean Apperson and Ann Reeder; nephews Tom and Joe Apperson, Chris and Mitchel Reeder, and  Kevin McCargar; and nieces Elizabeth Reeder and Jennifer McCargar.

She was preceded in death by a nephew, Paul Apperson; a great-niece, Hannae Apperson; and a brother-in-law, Keith Reeder.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington.

The family will meet with friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Friday, September 25, at the funeral home.

Barb and Jim were long time supporters of St. Judes Children’s Hospital and the Coffey County Cancer Support Group. Donations in her memory to either of these groups in lieu of flowers will continue their efforts to help others in need. Contributions may be sent to Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

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