(c) 2009 NPT Photo by Duay O'Neil

Bonnie and Connie, a matched pair of black Percheons, pulled
a century-old hearse bearing the body of Marvin "Popcorn"
Sutton through Parrottsville late Saturday afternoon for reburial
near the Sutton home. Tom Gilliland, left, owner of the horses
and Costner-Maloy Funeral Home owner Donnie Costner rode
on the hearse.

NEWPORT & PARROTTSVILLE-Legendary moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton would have loved all the attention he received Saturday when several hundred family members, friends, and curiosity seekers gathered at Resthaven Memorial Gardens for a public memorial service before his body was taken to his Parrottsville home for a private reburial.

"He would have said he didn't like it," said close friend Mark Ramsey, who delivered Sutton's eulogy, "but he would have loved this memorial."

Sutton died last March, taking his own life shortly before he was to report to federal prison after being convicted on moonshining charges.

At that time, he was buried in a tiny family cemetery in Mt. Sterling, N.C., with his parents. At his request, that burial was held early in the morning with few people in attendance.

However, several weeks ago, his body was exhumed in order to be reburied in a newly-established cemetery in Parrottsville.

According to his widow Pam, her decision to have Sutton's body moved to Tennessee came after the North Carolina burial site had been vandalized. "If they had just left him alone, none of this would have happened," she said.

First to speak at Saturday's service was Judge Ben Hooper II, whose friendship with Sutton stretched back more than 40 years.

"He was truly one of the most unique people I have ever known," said Hooper. "Ours was a genuine friendship which began over 40 years ago when I was beginning my career as an attorney."

"Like me, he was somewhat imperfect," said Hooper. "Over the years I handled a federal case for him, a divorce or two, and I was a sounding board for him for a long, long time. Never once did he ask me to do anything imperfect."

Hooper recalled his 1974 race for the Tennessee State Senate. "He was one of my biggest supporters," said Hooper. "I still remember his Jeep plastered with my campaign posters."

During this time, Hooper continued, Sutton went to his still to run off some liquor. "Revenue officers had been watching it every day," laughed Hooper, "and saw him arrive. They could hear him talking to someone but could never determine who the other person was."

According to Hooper, when the officers moved closer, they realized that Sutton was talking to himself while he worked. "When they identified themselves as federal agents," said Hooper, "Popcorn replied, 'The hell you are!' and continued working. Judge Nease gave him five years probation and a $2,800 fine. Popcorn went back the next day and started working again."

Hooper described Sutton as a man who was "always welcome at our house. He always came bearing gifts."

"When he was allowed to set up a still in Pigeon Forge and then at John Rice Irwin's Museum of Appalachia, he was then exposed to literally thousands of people," continued Hooper. A lot of important people became acquainted with Popcorn."

Hooper praised Sutton's contributions to society, mentioning his donation of two quarts of "his product to a charitable organization which auctioned them off for $750 apiece."

"When I was elected as judge," said Hooper, "I was required to uphold the law. That did not change our relationship."