Clara Sue Garland Sullivan

Mrs. Sullivan was born in Mitchell County, NC on September 9, 1939.

Preceded in death by husband, Elbert Lee Sullivan; Parents, Lee and Sally Garland; Son-in-law Joseph Staradumsky; Mother and Father in law, John and Sadie Sullivan.

Mother to 4 daughters; Kara Mitchell (John), Deborah Senekal (Andre), Sarah Southerland (Randy) and Lisa Batts (Bryan) Grandmother to Chad Staradumsky (Tabitha), Britton Prosser (Chris), Andy Staradumsky (Jamie), Kyleigh Piner (Keith St. Pierre), Walter Senekal, Werner Senekal, Inge Senekal, Caroline Bolton, Danielle Dorries (Paul), Mason Teachey, Res Southerland, Patricia Southerland, Tyler Batts (Hayley). Great-Grandmother to: Kynleigh, Adaleigh, Ava, Parker, Kolbie, Hadlee Jo, Lainee, Aidyn, Sophia, Ariel, Connor, Aubrey, Madison, Oaklyn, Christopher Res, Charlie Rae. Sister to Linda Vallendar; Sister in law to JB (Janet) and Rudolph Sullivan. Aunt and Great Aunt to many that she held dear to her heart. She had very special cousins and family she loved getting together with at least once a year.

She had a special relationship with her sons-in-law. It gave her great joy to know that her daughters were happy.

Sue worked many years in the international transportation and Customs Broker industry before retiring. She enjoyed this very much and her customers loved her. In the last year since coming out of the hospital against all odds and beating Covid, Sue was introduced to Cape Fear LifeCare and Hospice. She absolutely adored her Hospice team of Kevon, Joyce, Chaplain Miles and Monica. They brought her much comfort and allowed her to remain in her home where she was most comfortable to live and be cared for by family and her new hospice family.

Sue was married to Elbert Sullivan 53 years until his passing in 2008. She remained a prolific artist and creative person. She loved to make jewelry and paint in oils and acrylics. Many of her paintings have sold and are scattered all over several states. She was Past President of ArtQuest Gallery in Wilmington, NC and a past member of the Wilmington Art Association. She has had several newspaper articles written and news stories broadcast about her art. She appreciated all the accolades she received for her paintings and artwork. But she still was very humble and was astonished at the praise she received.

Most recently she was honored with an art show sponsored by Cape Fear LifeCare. She was proud to donate the proceeds to Cape Fear LifeCare/Hospice. This art show was the absolute best day for her in recent years. She again was very humbled that people wanted to own her work. She never really accepted exactly how talented she was.

She was the center and matriarch of her family and loved nothing more than having the family gather and make memories. She adored watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren play in the pool. She would sit and watch them for a long time. The smiles on their faces and their laughter brought so much joy to her.

She loved the Lord and reading her Bible every day. Even though baptized as a child and spending her life in the church, She rededicated her life to God and was baptized again at 82 years old. She prayed every day to the Lord for peace and comfort. She was known as Mama, Sissy, Nana, Nana Sue, Sue, Mama Sue or Clara Sue but no matter what you called her, she was your loyal friend and would do anything she could for those she loved. She will be greatly missed and leaves holes in the hearts of so many.

Funeral Services will be held Monday November 21, 2022 at one o’clock in the afternoon at Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral Service Chapel, 1411 N. Howe Street, Southport with Her son in-law Randy Southerland and Lower Cape Fear Hospice Chaplain Miles Siler officiating.

Pallbearers: Bryan Batts, Tyler Batts, Ethan Fields, Mark Fields, John Mitchell & Mason Teachey

Honorary Pallbearers: Al Batts, Tyler Fields.

Burial at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 800 Cherrytree Rd, Winnabow, NC.

The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from two until four o’clock at the funeral home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com for the Sullivan family.

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.