John Dewitt Suits

John Dewitt Suits, 92, of Cleveland passed away Monday, April 16, 2012 in a local healthcare facility. He was the third child of eight born to the late John O. and May Knittle Suits. Mr. Suits was born in Cohutta, Georgia and educated in Whitfield and Bradley County schools. He was a World War II veteran serving in the famed 2nd Armored Division "Hell on Wheels" as a tank commander where he received three Arrowheads for amphibious assaults for the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy. While with the division, he received eight battles stars for participating in key battles and campaigns which included Tunisa, Algeria-French Morocco, Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Central Europe, The Ardennes, and The Rhineland. He was a member of The Benning to Berlin Club and served under noted armor Generals George S. Patton, Earnest Harmon, and Isaac D. White. After the war, Mr. Suits went to work at Hardwick Stove Co. where he worked for 38 years retiring in 1985 as General Plant Foreman. He was active in farming most of his adult life raising Black Angus cattle. He was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Helen Pierce Suits. Four brothers: Dennis Suits, Doyle Suits, George Suits, and Virgil Suits. Two sisters: Nellie Snyder and Mattie Mae Kinchen. He is survived by four daughters: Delores Driver of Cleveland, Deborah Johnson of Knoxville, Daphne Graham of Tullahoma, and Regina Simmons of Sewanee, Georgia; one son, Reginald Suits of Ooltewah; nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren; one sister, Louise Suits of Cleveland; two sister-in-laws Katie Rymer Suits and Ann Moore Suits of Cleveland and one brother-in-law, Sid Kinchen of Baton Rouge. Graveside services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 19, 2012 in Chattanooga National Cemetery with Reverend Frank Nolen officiating. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at Fike Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital or the charity of one's choice. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Suits family guestbook at www.fikefh.com