Wilbert Carroll Suggs, Jr.

Wilbert Carroll Suggs, Jr., of Rockville, SC, husband of Judith Coley King Suggs, died on September 12, 2024, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. 

Carroll was born in Charleston on June 26, 1942, at Baker Hospital on Colonial Lake, the third child of Wilbert Suggs and Lizzie Cumbee Suggs of John’s Island. Having both a mischievous personality and a small stature required him to be fast on his feet at an early age, and his speed and tenacity served him well as an athlete at St. John’s High School. He graduated North Greenville College and also attended Appalachian State Teachers College and the College of Charleston before enlisting in the Marine Corps. 

A charming personality and a cute Austin-Healey convertible helped Carroll gain the attention of his younger sister’s best friend, Judy, and in time they were married on October 11, 1969, at Rockville Presbyterian Church, a place that played a central role in their life together. In the late 1970s, he joined Judy’s father, Preston King, as a business partner at King’s Grocery in Rockville. For the next thirty years, Carroll could be found behind the counter sharing the news of Wadmalaw Island, dispensing wisdom on everything from fishing to gardening, and making countless people laugh with his sharp wit.

Carroll found joy in being useful to others. In addition to singing in the choir and serving as an elder at Rockville Presbyterian Church, he also supervised two major restoration projects of the historic building. He served as a Commissioner for the St. John’s Fire District, and he was an active member of the Sea Island Yacht Club. 

Above all else, Carroll loved his family, and he was happiest when he was in the company of his wife, children, and grandchildren. 

In addition to his wife of almost fifty-five years, Carroll is survived by a son, Will Suggs, of Charleston; a daughter, Rachel Black, and her husband, Simon, of Wadmalaw Island; four grandchildren - Wilbert Suggs, Mary Patterson Suggs, Maisie Black, and Tallulah Black; and a shamelessly spoiled dachshund, Pippi. He also leaves behind three sisters; Joanne Burkes of Greenwood, SC, Gail Alexander of Summerville, and Wanda Kilroy of Goose Creek; ten beloved nieces and nephews; numerous middle-aged adults he considered to be his own children; and more friends than anyone could ever count. He was predeceased by his parents and his eldest sister, Jeanette Florio.

A Memorial Service will be held at Rockville Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 11:00 in the morning. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall from noon until 2:00. A private burial will be held at John’s Island Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory to Rockville Presbyterian Church, 2479 Sea Island Yacht Club Road, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487 or to First Baptist School, 48 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401.