Opal Joyce Sullivan

SULLIVAN, OPAL JOYCE, 91, of White Lake, MI, went to his heavenly home on Monday, March 20, 2023.  He was born November 29, 1931 in Preston, MS to the late Edgar and Delilah Sullivan. 

Opal was a faithful and honorable man who loved the Lord.  He spent 72 years of his life alongside his wife and best friend, Thelma Lois Clark.  He was a proud Army Veteran who served in the United State Military during the Korean War.  He was born and raised in Mississippi, but moved to Detroit, Michigan where he had his only son, Donald Wayne.  During his time in Michigan, Opal worked for Ford Motor Company, and served as Superintendent Sunday School Pastor at Liberty Temple Church. After retiring from Ford, he moved back south and spent the majority of his remaining years in Louisville, MS where his extended family also resides.  As the years went by, with many frequent visits and stays in Michigan, Opal agreed to move to Michigan, after his son found it necessary to provide ongoing care for his father and mother.

If you know Opal, you know he loved to make you laugh and always had a good joke up his sleeve.  He liked to have fun with his name, because he was named Opal Joyce, which is commonly a female name.  He loved telling people the meaning of his name which was “precious stone,” and with a big grin and a chuckle, he gave people permission to call him “Precious” instead.

Opal was the first to tell you about his faith in Jesus.  His Bible was his best friend when he spent his time in Korea, and despite being some-what of an outcast amongst his rowdy army brothers, he was highly respected and a sought after friend in times of hardship.  In his 91 years on earth, he was proud to say that not even a drop of alcohol had ever touched his lips. 

He leaves behind his wife, now widow, Thelma Lois Sullivan who in 2022 celebrated 72 years of marriage.  He was a beloved father to his one and only son, Donald Wayne Sullivan and daughter-in-law, Annette Marie Sullivan.  He was a grandfather to three granddaughters, Danette Marie Gralewski, Dianna Jane Wizner, and Angela Dee Cox.  He was a great grandfather to Avery Gralewski, Abigail Gralewski, Paisley Boyer, Emmy Gralewski, Zachariah Wizner, Hudson Boyer, and Maybelle Wizner.  He is also survived by siblings, June Triplett of Preston, MS, and Doyle Sullivan of Preston, MS.  He was preceded in death by his sisters, Violet Higginbotthom and Nadeen Adcock, and his brother Berland Sullivan. Funeral service with military honors will be held Friday, March 24, 2023 at 10 AM at COATS FUNERAL HOME-CLARKSTON, 8909 Dixie Hwy, Clarkston. Family will receive friends Thursday 4-8 PM. Private burial will be held at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly.
 

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