Jimmye Jo Gibson Sullivan

Jimmye Jo Gibson Sullivan “Heavenly sunrise, what glorious morning, when our Lord takes us home. What a great celebration, one like we’ve never known.” Jimmye Jo Gibson Sullivan saw the Heavenly sunrise and went to be with the Lord on April 8, 2015, at the age of 85. She suffered a stroke on February 6, 2015, and died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family who loved her dearly. Jimmye was born March 7, 1930, in Harrison County to Jesse Lee Gibson and Birdie Mae Bechtold Gibson. Jimmye accepted Christ as a teenager at Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, and was baptized in McKay’s Pond. She graduated from Hallsville High School in 1947 and began working at Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. She met J.S. “Slim” Sullivan at The Hollywood Cafe in downtown Longview and they married on June 25, 1949. In 1951, they began a life of Christian ministry and served the Lord faithfully together for over 50 years. Their partnership was one of total dedication and commitment to His service and to the service of others. After the death of her husband in 2008, Jimmye continued the call to His service through their nursing home ministry. She stood steadfast with her love and unwavering faith in the Lord. Jimmye was a member of Mobberly Baptist Church and attended faithfully. She was known by others as “the pastor’s wife”, “the church secretary”, “Mrs. Jimmye”, “Mrs. Slim” and sometimes, “Jimmye Jo”. However, the ones who were most blessed had the privilege of calling her mother and grandmother. Her favorite part of everyday was spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. If family was involved, she was always there ... she never missed a church or school program, ballgame, party or any other activity. To her family, her home was their “Grand Central Station”, because of the strong unbreakable bond that she had instilled in their lives. Jimmye was a truly selfless individual whose greatest joy in life came through caring for others and meeting their needs. Her character was best described by a dear friend as someone who “held no grudges, cast no judgment, and saw no faults.” Celebrating her Heavenly homecoming are her parents; husband, Rev. J.S. “Slim” Sullivan; brothers, Tommie Ray and Gerald “Ted” Gibson; grandson, Allen Nix; and great-granddaughter, Rachael Mauk. Those left to cherish her memory include daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Frank Kay; granddaughter, Lexi and husband Josh Croft with greatgrandchildren, Colton and Cooper Croft; daughter and son-in-law, Freda and Mike Nix; granddaughter, April and husband Jason Moore with great-grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth and Samuel Moore; granddaughter, Amber Nix with great-grandchildren, Bailey Halsell, Marlee and Hattie Dominguez; and great-granddaughter, Grace Fleming Nix, daughter of her late grandson, Allen Nix. She will also be missed by her sister and brother-in-law, Wanda “Lucy” and Don Edgar; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Phillip “PeeWee” and Jayne Gibson and Ronnie and Pam Gibson. The service to celebrate her life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 10, 2015, at Mobberly Baptist Church under the direction of Rader Funeral Home in Longview, Texas, with her longtime friend, Dr. John Hatch officiating. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2015, at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. The family wishes to sincerely thank the following for their care: Longview Fire Dept. medic 5, engine 7; the staff at Good Shepherd Medical Center emergency room, Stroke and Cardiovascular Care floor, and Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Care floor; Dr. Lawrence Roe, Dr. Rodney Sloan, Dr. Stephen Littlejohn, Dr. Brandon Tinkler and Dr. Roger Kiser; the staff at Summer Meadows Nursing Home; and Heart to Heart Hospice. In lieu of flowers and if you so desire, donations in her memory may be made to Hiway 80 Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 3223, Longview, Texas 75606-3223. “Thank you for giving to the Lord, I was a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave.”

Jimmye Jo Gibson Sullivan

March 7, 1930 - April 8, 2015