J.S. Slim Sullivan

"His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." ~ Matthew 25:23 Brother Slim, 85, entered into the joy of his Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 15, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Medical Center, while holding hands with his loving family, after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease. He was born December 27, 1922, in Trees City, La., to Joe S. and Hettie Sullivan. He was raised in Mississippi and after serving in the U.S. military, he went to work for R.G. LeTourneau in Vicksburg, Miss., where he was a welder by trade. In 1947, he transferred to the Longview plant. In 1949, he married Jimmye Gibson of Longview. After accepting an invitation to church from a caring co-worker and friend, Brother Slim accepted Christ and surrendered to the ministry on January 21, 1951. In 1955, he established Judson Road Baptist Church, where he pastored for five years. In 1960, he was called as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, where he served until 1985. After leaving the pastorate, he began an evangelism and nursing home ministry, while he served as Minister of Outreach at Trinity Baptist Church in Longview. At the time of his death, he was a member of Mobberly Baptist Church. Some of his fondest times were when he was in the woods target practicing and squirrel hunting. He was most comfortable in his old coveralls and work boots, although he would never preach a sermon until his shoes were shined and his tie was straight. Brother Slim wrote in his own testimony, "Christ strengthens and energizes my life through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Through His enabling, I can worship, work, witness, overcome temptation, win souls, and live victoriously. He gives me hope, help, heat, and the promise of Heaven." He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Robbie Dukes. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jimmye of 58 years; daughters, Ruth Kay and husband, Frank, and Freda Nix and husband, Mike; grandchildren, April Moore and husband, Jason, Amber Dominguez and husband, Robert, Allen Nix, and Lexi Mauk; and great-grandchildren, Bailey Halsell and Marlee Dominguez. He also leaves behind numerous friends whose lives were touched by his witness. A celebration of his life will be held at 4 p.m. this afternoon, March 18, 2008, at Mobberly Baptist Church, under the direction of Rader Funeral Home in Longview. Interment will be in Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Brother Slim's life was a testimony as to what most of us heard him say, "God will mend a broken heart if you give Him all the pieces." Therefore, in his honor and in lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Hi-Way 80 Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 3223, Longview, TX 75606. All will remember him as being faithful to God, faithful to the ministry, and faithful to his family. ~ We love you, Daddy!

J.S. Slim Sullivan

December 27, 1922 - March 15, 2008