Mr. Jeffrey Ross Sliz

Evans Funeral Home of Jefferson announces the death of Mr. Jeffrey Ross Sliz, age 76, of Jefferson, Georgia who entered rest Sunday, April 26, 2026. Life with Jeff was a constant adventure: he lived large, loud and fast - just like the motorsports and classic cars he adored.

At 6’5” and 265 pounds, Jeff was a big man, with a grand personality and a huge heart. If you hadn't met Jeff before, he was an open book. If you had met him before, he always offered a thrilling new chapter. Jeff lived a life of strong convictions, fierce intellect, and deep commitments to his profession and family. 

Born in Northampton, Massachusetts, Jeffrey was the son of the late Edmund Paul Sliz and Edith Cavell Harrell Sliz. 

He was a graduate of the Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, Massachusetts, Emory University (where he ascended to SAE fraternity’s Eminent Barbarian), and Mercer University School of Law. Jeff hung his law shingle just off the Lawrenceville town square in 1975. Later he built a distinguished 51 year legal career as a general practitioner, with expertise in criminal defense. Jeff specifically described himself as a “trial attorney”, because he was most in his element zealously litigating before juries and judges alike. Mr. Sliz was a respected (some would say infamous) member of the State Bar of Georgia, and the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. 

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jeffrey was a man of faith, and member of Galilee Christian Church. He took pride in the years he sang with the church choir; another outlet to raise his voice and lift up others. Jeff carried himself with pride and determination, facing life’s challenges with a resilience and joy that made a lasting impression on those around him.

Jeff loved Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, Southern rock music, “unique” art and custom-tailored suits. A long-time co-owner of Peach State Speedway, he was a lifelong fan of all motorsports.

Mr. Sliz is survived by his loving wife, Purity Maria Sliz; sons Jordan Paul Sliz; Jarett Ross Sliz (Amanda Oncay Sliz); and Jeffrey Vaughn Beach; daughter Jasmine Boswell (Josh Boswell), twin sister Deborah Rochelle Sliz (Alan Yandow); brother Eric Paul Sliz (Joyce Horton Sliz) and four cherished grandchildren: Zebediah Enoch and Zinnia Adeline Boswell, and Julian Ramsey and Adrian Loxley Sliz.

Jeffrey was a man who led by example through hard work, determination, and the belief that a man should always strive to become better than he was yesterday. His legacy lives on in the values he embodied, the many lives he affected, and the family he loved deeply. 

A Celebration of  Life for Mr. Sliz will be held at 2 pm, Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the ballroom of the Historic Gwinnett County Courthouse, 185  West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, GA. Please come prepared to tell a story about Jeff, and/or send the story to Winship Rees at werees@aol.com. Winship plans to create a book of “Jeff Stories”, the memoir Jeff himself always threatened to write: “The Life and Times of a True Southern Firebreather.”

Jeff’s ashes will be buried in the family plot in Burgaw, North Carolina at the Annual Harrell Family Thanksgiving Reunion; an event with cherished family members which Jeff never missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jeff’s honor to Hope Clinic,121 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 or to Mercer University,1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA 31207. 

Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jefferson, Georgia.  706-367-5467       

Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com

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