James Warren Suggs, Jr., 92, departed this life on November 1, 2025 at his home in Sandy Springs, GA. He was a lifelong resident of Atlanta, a business owner, a father of four, and a committed Christian.
The son of James Warren Suggs, Sr. and Ruby Means Suggs, Jim was born on August 4, 1933, in Atlanta. He attended several local schools before entering the University of Georgia, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity, and where met his wife, Nancy Carolyn Yates. Jim and Nancy were married on November 22, 1953, and were eventually blessed with four sons.
Upon his graduation at Georgia State with a business degree (Georgia State was UGA’s Atlanta branch at the time), Jim worked as a sales representative for two Atlanta businesses before moving his family to Birmingham, Alabama in 1962. There he worked for Sepco Corporation for eighteen months before returning to his beloved Atlanta to begin a regional distribution office. He moved the family into the same Sandy Springs home where he lived for the remainder of his life. His company, eventually taking the name Sealco, grew quickly as a manufacturer of fluid sealing industrial products. He sold the company in 1986 before retiring during the 1990s.
Jim, Nancy, and their children were active members of Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, Jim having joined the church at the age of twelve. He taught Sunday school there for more than 40 years and also served as a deacon. Generations of seventh graders, and in later years young married couples, heard and cherished his Bible lessons during that time.
Jim was an enthusiastic fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, holding season tickets for many years. He also was a natural collector in many fields—first coins, then presidential biographies and books about the Civil War (of which he had encyclopedic knowledge), and rifles and rare documents from the Civil War era. He coached youth in baseball and football and served as Vice President of the Northside Youth Organization. Jim was known for his warmth, his sense of humor, and his sharp mind.
In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Nancy Yates Suggs, his son, Joseph David Suggs, his grandson, Bryan Douglas Suggs, his brothers, Charles William Suggs and David Welch Suggs, Sr., and his sister, Dr. Kathryn Suggs Chance Leonard. He is survived by sons James Warren Suggs, III (Andrea), Robert Yates Suggs, Sr. (Gayle), and Steven Michael Suggs. Jim is also survived by his grandchildren Meg Suggs Sewell (Lee), Sally Suggs (Krys Lancaster), Robert Suggs, Jackson Suggs, and Davis Suggs, his great-granddaughter, Magnolia Sewell, and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025 at 1PM at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, 2715 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30305 with visitation at the church at noon. Burial will follow the service at Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery, 201 Mount Vernon Hwy., Sandy Springs, Georgia 30328. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church.
