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James Turner “JT” Suttles, 99, of Statesville, passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at Brookdale Peachtree Assisted Living in Statesville. He was born on January 19, 1920 in Greensboro, NC, to the late Turner and Minnie Needham Suttles. He grew up in Greensboro and married his high school sweetheart, Jean Scott, in December of 1942. After marrying, he continued his military training in the US and shipped out to Europe in the Spring of 1943. Arriving in Italy, as a first lieutenant, he was in charge of building airfields up the coast of Italy to support Allied bombers. Returning to North Carolina after the war, he decided that the ministry was not his calling and abandoned the three years spent at Guilford College. He enrolled at NC State, and received a degree in Textile Technology. Within a few years, he and Jean settled in Mooresville with JT working for Burlington Industries. Jean and JT’s children completed their schooling in Mooresville, except for son Kirk, who finished at Cherryville High School, and all went on to attend colleges and universities in NC. Jean and JT moved to Reidsville, NC in 1972, and in 1985 JT retired from Burlington Industries. In retirement, JT honed his skills as a carpenter and gardener. While in Reidsville, he served as president of the Men’s Garden Club, the Reidsville chapter of Habitat for Humanity, and the Reidsville Lion’s Club. JT was also a past chairman of the Reidsville Historic Preservation Commission. Jean and JT both became Elders in and project supporters of the First Presbyterian Church of Reidsville. In addition to his parents, JT was predeceased by Jean, his wife of nearly 72 years; by their son, Kirk Suttles, who died of cancer at age 33; and by his sisters, Frances Ritter and Angie Hodgin; and by his brother, Lee Suttles. He is survived by his children, Scott Suttles of Burlington, Dee Chambers and husband, Jim of Winston-Salem, Dr. Reid Suttles and wife, Cynthia of Mooresville and Lagrangeville, NY, and Alison Suttles of Troutman. Grandsons include Jared Suttles and Clay Suttles of Lagrangeville, NY and Matthew Chambers and wife, Caroline of Charlotte. There are six great grandchildren, Barritt, Annabelle, and Jay Chambers, Palmer and Harper Wyke, and Adyson Hoffman. A service with military honors will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 3:00 pm at the Heritage House of Cavin-Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville, with Rev. Georgianne Hartline officiating. The family will receive friends following the service for the Celebration of Life. Surely JT’s spirit would say to us now, “If you wish to make a contribution in my memory, please consider doing a good deed for someone who needs one. And I will leave you with this…please don’t be sad because I’m gone, instead be happy that I was here. I really did have a wonderful life. I was raised by a family who loved me and was loved by the family I raised. Until we meet again, to God be the Glory.” The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Peachtree Assisted Living in Statesville for their care and friendship, especially during his final days. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Suttles family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

Tributes

James Turner Suttles

January 19, 1920 - December 10, 2019