REV. LEON SUGGS
Died Aug. 5, 2005
Goldsboro Resident
The Rev. Leon Franklin Suggs, 72, joined hands with the Lord he served so faithfully on Friday, August 5, 2005 at Wayne Memorial Hospital, while surrounded by loved ones.
Leon was born in Wayne County on November 1, 1932 to the late Edward Hamilton Suggs and Lucy Forehand Suggs. For those who knew him, Leon will be remembered as a generous, caring, compassionate man and a loyal friend to so many. The love of Leon's life was God, family and friends. He never gave up or let go of his firm belief in the power of prayer. Leon's determination to live in God's will was an inspiration to all who knew him.
His dedication to his family instilled in them a love for their Lord and one another. He will be missed by many. Leon was an ordained minister with the Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church and had served as the minister for Emanuel Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church. He was also retired from Cozart Packing Company.
Along with a tireless commitment to help people come to know the Lord, Leon has been an active member of the Pikeville Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church, where he has served as Trustee, Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and as a teacher. Leon's passion was talking and sharing with others and with this love he never knew a stranger. He would always find some connection with all he came in contact with.
A celebration of Leon's life will be held 6 p.m. Sunday at the Pikeville Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church. The Rev. Dr. Don Sauls and the Rev. Herbert Carter will officiate. Interment will be held 11 a.m. Monday at the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
Leon has been devoted for 53 years to his wife, Maxine Forehand Suggs. His memory will also be cherished by his daughters, Cam Sauls and husband, Dwayne of Southport, and Gwen Pate and husband, Jerry of Pikeville; his son, Frank Suggs and wife, Patti of Raleigh; his grandchildren, Adam Sauls, Erica Sauls, Jeremy Pate, Bryan Pate, Beth Suggs and Will Suggs; his sisters, Mattie Maready of Chinquapin, Gladys Maready of Emerald Isle, Doris Sauls of Pikeville and Montier Savage and husband, Roy of Pikeville; his brothers, Eugene Suggs and wife, Jettye of Goldsboro and Bob Suggs and wife, Dot of Pikeville; and his sisters-in-laws, Bernice Suggs of Nashville, Tenn., Mavis Suggs of Goldsboro and Frances Price of Wilson.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Joe Suggs, Ed Suggs, Jim Suggs and Bill Suggs.
Active pallbearers will be Jeremy and Bryan Pate, Adam Sauls, Will Suggs, James, and Jay Sauls. Honorary pallbearers will be ministers and their wives.
Although flowers are welcome, memorials may be made to Pikeville Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church, 336 Nahunta Road, Pikeville, N.C., 27863.
The family will receive friends at the church following the service and other times at his home, 2121 Hwy. 111 N., in the Stoney Creek Community.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. II Timothy 4:6-7
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matthew 25:21
(Written & Paid by the Family)
Published in Obituaries on August 7, 2005 10:23 AM