Jeffrey Ross Sliz, 76, of Jefferson, died on April 26, 2026. He was a criminal defense attorney in Lawrenceville. Life with him 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 large 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 new chapter.
Born in Northampton, Mass., 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, Mass., got his undergraduate at Emory University and his law degree from Mercer University. Jeff hung his law shingle just off the Lawrenceville town square in 1975. He built a 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. He was a 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 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 grandchildren: Zebediah Enoch and Zinnia Adeline Boswell, and Julian Ramsey and Adrian Loxley Sliz.
A Celebration of Life for Mr. Sliz will be held at 2 pm, Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the Historic Gwinnett County Courthouse, 185 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville. 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, N.C. 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, or to Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, Ga. 31207.
Evans Funeral Home of Jefferson handled the arrangements.
