Mattie B. Suggs, giving, generous heart

Mattie B. Suggs, 90, of Bridgeville, passed away Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, at Tidal Health Hospital in Seaford surrounded by her loved ones. She was born May 9, 1933, daughter of the late James Best and Rosa Lee (Young) Hamilton.

Mattie made her lifelong career in the food processing industry, working for various companies across Sussex County. Her last place of employment was with the CHEER Center in Bridgeville, where she assisted with preparing meals for seniors. Mattie had a giving and generous heart, and she loved helping others. She was a woman of strong faith and would tell everyone she met about the goodness and the love of Jesus Christ. She believed in the power of prayer. She was a member of United Assembly of Christ in Bridgeville and served as an usher. Mattie then became a member at Grace N Mercy in Greenwood and served as a church mother, where she shared wisdom and words of encouragement.

Mattie’s children and grandchildren were the apples of her eye, and she always put her family first. She was the glue that held the family together. 

In addition to her parents, Mattie was preceded in passing by her first husband, James Palmer; her second husband, Wilbert Suggs; her daughter, Rosetta Palmer; son, Ulysses Palmer; and her siblings, Josephine Graham, Robert Earl Best, James Best, RT Best, JT Best and Rodell Best. She is survived by her children, Barbara Rowlette of Baltimore, Md., Ervin Best of Georgia, Milton Palmer and wife Irish of New Castle, and Bernard Palmer of Wilmington; her sister, Helen Johnson of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grands, and extended family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 14, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, 202 Laws St., Bridgeville, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow services at St. Johnstown Cemetery in Greenwood.

Visit Mattie’s Life Memorial webpage at watsonfh.com.