daddy’s girls I feature story
Photographed by Jonathan Boatwright
Pictured here: Dr. James Suggs with his
granddaughter, Brittany Pate
Dr. James Suggs
the power of a godly father
Dr. James Suggs says he wouldn’t be the man that he is today without his father’s influence.
“My dad was a very strong person and I relied on him greatly. When I met the Chief Justice of
the Supreme Court, he told me that he had put my father on the S.C Lawyers Grievance committee because his honesty and integrity were unimpeachable. That was my dad! Dad practiced law in Conway for over 50 years and worked hard. He taught me so much about dependability and accountability, as well as how to have a good time. He enjoyed life and lived it to the
fullest.” As a father of four, there’s no doubt That Dr. Suggs has strived to follow in his father’s
footsteps and to be a man that makes a lasting impact on his children and the community.
With parenthood and the raising of children, there are always challenges that one must
face and conquer along the way. Dr. Suggs faced the biggest one of all in 2010 after losing his
daughter, Debbie, to a respiratory illness. “She lived in one of the disability and special needs
homes with three other roommates. I was fortunate enough to serve on the Board of Directors
and to attend workshops with staff members. I was truly amazed at the hard work, love, and
unbelievable patience they had with the residents of the homes. “Debbie,” he says, “was one
of those with a sharp mind. We never made her a promise if we didn’t intend to keep it! She
remembered everything - special holidays, birthdays, and any other special occasions. She
never forgot them and would always make the most creative cards from scratch, adding her
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own funny twist. She was blind, but to look at some of these cards, they look like art made
by a talented artist. She loved meeting people and wanted to know everything about them.”
Throughout her life, Debbie struggled with not only blindness but impaired hearing as well. She
also lost a leg during her battle with bone cancer. “Her strength never withered during this time.
None of this ever seemed to slow her down. She ruled the house! She taught us that handicaps, even
when severe, could be overcome and that impediments can make us stronger and more patient with
others. As I watched her body deteriorate, I worried for her future and feared for a painful experience
of loss for one who had such an incredible personality. It is hard to measure the impact she has left
on our lives. Just knowing her made us all better people.”
There’s no doubt Debbie’s strength was inherited from Dr. Suggs. It is this same strength that
his granddaughter, Brittany, admires most about her grandfather today. “His hard work and
determination have always inspired me to keep going and do the best I can at whatever has
been thrown my way. He is always doing so much more than he has to, and goes above and
beyond for his family, community, and patients.” Having grown up without a father, Brittany is
grateful that her grandfather stepped in. Dr. Suggs admits that this was rather tough to do at
times, but that never stopped him from providing her with the love and support she needed
most. “When she was about 6 years old, her school had a father-daughter dance. All of her
friends were going with their fathers. It was a difficult decision as to whether or not I should
take her, but I decided to do it. We both struggled at the event. Most of the evening, she would
stand alone or chat with her classmates; but towards the middle of the dance, she forced herself to come and ask me to dance with her. It hurt so much to watch her struggle, and I worried
how I would ever really be able to explain to her how or why things were as they were. That
event changed us both, and we found out just how much we meant to each other. She always
felt there were no wrong questions and no subjects which she couldn’t discuss with me.”
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