Kathleen "Kathy" Sullivan Pappas

Kathy was born on March 9, 1946 in Alameda, California to Wendell M. Sullivan (of CA) and Bettyfae Brady Sullivan (of NJ) and raised in a loving Christian home. The daughter of a Navy chaplain, Kathy said she enjoyed moving and the adventure of living in new places. After graduating from Brethren High School in CA, she moved across country to South Carolina to attend Columbia Bible College and live near her beloved grandparents. In the fall of 1965, during her sophomore year, she met her future husband in the lunch line. After a wonderful courtship, Kathy married Loui Pappas (of VA) on August 15, 1969, in a double wedding with her sister, Joy.

She was a kindergarten teacher in Dothan, AL while she and Loui were engaged, then worked in the University of South Carolina transfer Admissions Department after they were married. Kathy served with Loui in the Protestant Youth Chapel at Ft. Jackson. In 1972, the Lord blessed Kathy & Loui with the gift of becoming parents. They had 6 children: Melody Snyder (Tim), Mark Pappas (Megan), David Pappas (Lisa), Jon Pappas (Emily), Stephen Pappas (Nicki), and Missy Pappas … and 13 grandchildren: Jessica (Jay), Karah, Ethan, Dylan, Ruth, Gabriel, Emily, Jack, Bethany, Joshua, Cole, Emma Kate, and Levi … and 3 great-grandchildren: James, Jackson, and one on the way! Kathy’s greatest joy was being a wife and mother, and she continually poured herself out in love to her children, their friends, and those around her who were in need. Those without family living nearby were always welcome at her family’s holiday tables. When her children started college, she began working for Lexington School District Five as a school bus driver and enjoyed driving special needs children.

Kathy was saved as a child and continued to grow in her faith over the years, committing her future to the Lord during her sophomore year in college. She was a loving, dedicated member of Columbia Evangelical Church for her entire adult life and ministered to many people over the years, from the littlest ones in the nursery to young children in Sunday School and from the teenagers in youth ministry to informally mentoring young moms and women in the ways of the Lord. She took great joy in singing in the choir under the wonderful direction of Bill Supplee and in her later years, Kathy and Loui enjoyed leading the senior ministry together.

Growing up with a father who loved playing piano, Kathy had a great enjoyment of live music and always had a piano in their home. She encouraged her children in their musical interests, attending their concerts & other special events. She also loved all sports and especially loved to watch baseball and Gamecock football. Kathy amazed her family with her ability to remember birthdates and any kind of number, and she blessed her family with the gift of laughter through the comedy movies she watched and the silly jokes she loved to tell. Kathy was also an avid reader and could often be seen reading in her favorite chair in the living room. Her favorite genre was biographies and anything historical.

Kathy was a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, and Nana to each of her children, their spouses, and all of her grandchildren, and she was an honorary mother/grandmother to many throughout her life (from her church family and several exchange students). Those who knew Kathy were blessed by her love and generosity.

In 2017 when frontal dementia began to take away her speech, she enjoyed coloring and left behind a large collection of her beautiful artwork that continues to bless us. In her final years, her sweet, gentle spirit blessed any who met her and those who cared for her. Her hand always reached out to hold the hand of those around her, and now Jesus is holding her.

We thank the Lord for His unique gift of Kathy and her life that touched so many with His love.

One of Kathy’s favorite Scripture passages was Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Kathy is survived by her siblings, Jan Jolley (Doug), Kris Truax (Rod), and Paul Sullivan (Tammy), and sister-in-law, Diana Sullivan. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Joy (& Jim) Westervelt and brother, David Sullivan.

A funeral service is planned to celebrate Kathy’s life on Sunday afternoon, August 18, from 3-4pm with a fellowship reception following from 4-5:30pm at Columbia Evangelical Church, 1013 Barnwell Street, Columbia, SC 29201. A private burial will be held in Bush River Memorial Gardens.

The family wants to offer their deep appreciation for all the love and support they have felt over the past few days, and a special thank you to Heart of Hospice and Right at Home for the caring support they have provided to Loui and Kathy over the past few years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Columbia Evangelical Church Missions, 1015 Barnwell Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or Leeza’s Care Connection, 201 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia, SC 29210.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com