Minnie Jo Sullivan

Minnie “Jo” Harvey Sullivan passed away Sunday morning, February 19, 2023. Jo was born September 10, 1926, to William Dawson Harvey and Allie Rayburn Harvey in Cottonwood, Texas. She was the youngest of six children and grew up in Grays Prairie, where her parents owned a grocery store. She graduated from Kaufman High School in 1944. On May 12, 1945, Jo married Charles T. “Jack” Sullivan. They were married for 61 years before his passing on December 15, 2006. Jo is survived by her children: Ronald Jack Sullivan and wife, Karen, of Palestine, and Janice “Kay” Miller and husband, Phil, of Kaufman. Grandchildren: Jay Brian Miller and wife, Nicole, of Dallas and Jana Kay White and husband, Robert, of Norfolk, VA. Great grandchildren: Corbin Jay Miller, Jack Taber White, Levi James Miller, and Bennett Charles White. Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Charles T. “Jack” Sullivan, her parents, W. D. and Allie Harvey, brothers: Frank Harvey, Hubert Harvey, Clifford Harvey, and sisters: Estelle Chitty, and Laeuna Howell.

After Jo and Jack married, they lived in Rosser. Jo worked in the Sullivan Grocery Store in downtown Rosser with her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles T. and Emma Kate Sullivan. Jack and Jo moved to Cottonwood when Ronald was an infant. In August 1959, the family of four moved to Kaufman (Oak Grove). They were active members of First Baptist Church Kaufman. Jo taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and provided many meals for those in their time of need. She served many years in the bereavement ministry and an offering counter, well into her 90s. At the age of 94, Jo learned to use an iPad so she could watch First Baptist Kaufman services online from home. She was a faithful member of the JOY LifeGroup and called in every Sunday morning along with several friends to continue to be a part of that Bible Study and fellowship.

Jo and Jack also found themselves a very vital part of the Oak Grove Community, especially Oak Grove Water Supply Corporation. Jo served as secretary for over 40 years.

To those who loved her, Jo (“mama” “memom”) was known as an amazing baseball player (she played into her 30s even after the birth of her 2 children, despite the requests of her sisters to stop playing ball and stay at home with those babies), the best fisherman in the family, a whiz with numbers and finance and best pie and jelly maker around. She taught those around her the importance of hard work, drinking hot coffee even in the high temps of a Texas summer, that babies are never too big to be rocked, there’s always time for a bedtime story, honey and lemon soothes the angriest cough, pecans are meant to be cracked and peas are meant to be shelled, whip cream should be whipped fresh and friends and family are meant to be treasured. She was a bright light that will shine on in those who loved her and were loved by her.

Because of Jo’s love for Jesus, others and First Baptist Church Kaufman, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church (City on a Hill) 2000 W Fair St, Kaufman, TX 75142 or online fbckaufman.com.