01/09/2026
Reverend James D. Suits, age 81, of Hodgenville, Kentucky went to heaven, January 08, 2026, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease, surrounded by his loving family.
He was an Army Veteran and took great pride in serving his country, but his primary focus was in service to God and His Congregation. He was a beloved Minister in his local community, across the United States and abroad for over six decades. Reverend Suits is remembered for his devotion to the Lord, his care for people and his passion for life. His dedication to excellence, evident in his learning, his ministry and his pursuits, marked him as a Renaissance man of rare distinction. He is beloved by his family, friends, community and those fortunate to know him. His work on this earth is now complete and he has heard the welcome call from heaven: “Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
James Suits was born on August 6, 1944, in Cottage Hills, Illinois where his family resided until relocating to their family farm in Lick Creek, Illinois in 1954. He graduated from Anna-Jonesboro High School in 1962 and attended Southern Illinois University from 1962 -1964. In December 1962, at age 18, he accepted his calling to ministry under the mentorship of Rev. Charles Mayberry. On June 5, 1965, he married his sweetheart, Roberta Joyce Winn in Jonesboro, Illinois. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1966 and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Fort Stewart, Georgia and Fort Devens, Massachusetts where he met his lifelong friends Rev. Arthur Rivers and Rev. Julius Washington. He served as a Sergeant during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in December 1968. After a brief return to Southern Illinois, he relocated to Saint Louis, Missouri. In August 1969, Roberta and James welcomed their son, Phillip Andrew. That September, James became pastor of Mission Bell Tabernacle in Saint Louis, later moved to Baden, Missouri and renamed Canaan Temple under his leadership. In September 1973, he moved to Wickliffe, Kentucky, to pastor Full Gospel Temple until 1980. During this period, he completed his degree at Murray State University, graduating in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education. He then spent several months evangelizing across the United States before becoming pastor of Hodgenville Pentecostal Church in February 1982, where he served until his retirement in 2007. He served his community as a Hospital Chaplain, through Nursing Home and Prison Ministry and in countless other community endeavors. He also believed whole-heartedly in world outreach, supporting missionaries and travelling to countries around the world. After retiring, he continued to evangelize and participate in mission trips to Panama, India, Israel and Mexico. He ardently supported Christian youth, serving in leadership roles at Elco Youth Camp, Granite City Youth Camp and Bluegrass Pentecostal Youth Camp during his time of ministry. He later joined his beloved friend, Pastor Richard Binkley’s flock at Full Gospel Assembly and remained an active member until his passing, maintaining close ties with former congregations and lifelong friends.
Reverend Suits’s greatest love after God was for his family. He is survived by his wife, Roberta Winn Suits; son Phillip Suits; two granddaughters, Dresden Suits (Shawn) Roberts and Haven Suits; a great-grandson, Elliott Guin; three sisters, Frances Suits Baker, Brenda Suits (Bob) Wright and Oveta Suits Gray; a brother, Paul (Linda) Suits and many more immediate family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rhoda and David Suits; a brother, Lee Suits; a sister, Rhonda Yvonne Suits and two brothers-in-Law, Kenneth Baker and Charles Gray.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 11, at Hodgenville Pentecostal Church, 1710 Campbellsville Road, Hodgenville, KY 42748, with Rev. Richard Binkley, Rev. David Webb and Rev. Daniel Rivers officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Services will also be livestreamed at www.hpcfamily.net
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday and after 12 noon Sunday at the church.
If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to GoodNews Outreach, 201 E 2nd Street, London, KY 40741 or online at https://sealion-grapefruit-n4wx.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=61a39cc3460fc31c04ca49ac
The Suits family would like to personally thank the Pastors and Church Families of Full Gospel Assembly and Hodgenville Pentecostal Church, the caring staff at Tender Touch, Sunrise Manor and Baptist Health Hardin, our neighbors and many friends from this local community and around the world for your love and support during this time. The beautiful stories you’ve shared, the hugs, tears and outpouring of love have made this difficult loss more bearable. We are profoundly grateful to you – not just for this season but for all the years of generosity and love you’ve shown us. May God bless and keep each of you.
Bennett-Bertram Funeral Home in Hodgenville is in charge of the arrangements.
