Rev. Thomas Leon Suttles, 83, of Teasley Mill Road, Bowman, husband of Joyce Reed Suttles, finished his course in faith on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at Elbert Memorial Hospital.
Rev. Suttles was born in Elberton on August 18, 1935, son of the late Thomas Arnold Suttles and Louise Parham Suttles. Leon was a U.S. Army Veteran and a retired stone cutter having retired from Central Granite Company after many years of dedicated service. His greatest achievement was being an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God. Rev. Suttles founded Bowman Church of God in the 1970s and was currently a member there. “Preacher Suttles”, as he was known, was called to serve Pine View Church of God in West Green, Tennille Church of God in Tennille, Canon Church of God in Canon (three times), Bowman Church of God in Bowman (three times), and Forest Hills Assembly of God in Elberton. During his time in south Georgia, he took a job as an insurance salesman briefly. Leon soon realized he was too honest of a man to have a successful career in insurance and joined the staff at EK May Funeral Home in Sandersville. This began another career that spanned over 50 years and grew to include Hicks Funeral Home in Elberton for nearly 30 years and ultimately 10 years of service at Berry Funeral Home in Elberton where he was proudly serving families up until the night before his death. He enjoyed attending auctions of all kinds, bargaining, and most of all being “Papa”.
His greatest joy in life was his family, and he regretfully leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Joyce; children: Roger and Tammy Suttles of Winder, Shirley and Jimmy Dunn of Tennille, Randy Suttles of Elberton, and Pam and Stanley Fay, Jr. of Bowman; sister, Laverne Reed of Martin; nine grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings: Laura Jane Suttles and Lewis Suttles.
Funeral services celebrating Leon’s life will be held on Saturday, November 3, at 11 o’clock in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home with the Rev. Bobby Williford officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery with Rev. Stacy Lynch officiating.
The family is at the residence and will receive friends at Berry Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00p.m. on Friday evening.
Flowers are optional; contributions may be made in his memory to Bowman Church of God, 476 East Railroad Street, Bowman, GA 30624
Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com.
Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Rev. Thomas Leon Suttles.