1946
John Reed Sullivan
2024
John Reed Sullivan
December 12, 1946 — March 31, 2024
Albemarle
John Reed Sullivan, 77, of Albemarle, began his eternal life on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Spring Arbor of Albemarle in Albemarle.
He was born December 12, 1946, to the late H.G. and Velda Sullivan in Flat Rock, KY.
The funeral service will be held at 11am on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Albemarle officiated by Rev. Andy Jung and Dr. Kendell Cameron, with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Private burial will follow.
Mr. Sullivan is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Alexander Sullivan, a daughter, Marti Tidwell (Jason) and son, Alex Sullivan (Pamela) and four much beloved granddaughters, Sadie Brynn Sullivan, Remi Chadwick Sullivan, Aniston Claire Tidwell and Reese Caroline Tidwell. He is also survived by a brother, Frank Sullivan of Paducah, KY and a sister Doris Brown of Murray, KY and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Sullivan is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Jonathan "Chad" Chadwick Sullivan.
A retired hospital CEO, John lived a life in service to others and was known to all who knew him as kind and humble leader and a true gentleman.
John started his career in the early 70's with Healthcare Corporations of America and served in hospitals in Livingston,TN, Athens, TN, and Mayfield, KY. In 1988, he moved his family to North Carolina to serve as CEO of what was then Stanly Memorial Hospital in Albemarle. At Stanly Memorial he become known for his daily rounds, walking the halls of the hospital, even on weekends and holidays, getting to know the employees and making sure they knew they were appreciated for their work and dedication. In 1995, he began his tenure with Carolinas Healthcare Systems as an Executive Vice President. However, it was in 2008, when John moved to Mt. Pleasant, SC to oversee the building of the new Roper St. Francis Mt. Pleasant Hospital, that he found the crown of his career by establishing an organization from the ground up full of people with the same heart to serve others. To this day, it is among the top hospitals in the nation for customer and patient satisfaction.
John would tell you none of this. However, instead he would ask about you and your family, and how he could be praying for you. An active member for more than 35 years of First Baptist Church of Albemarle and a man of deep faith and conviction, his focus was never on himself, but on the God he served and caring for and meeting the needs of those around him. He started and ended every day studying God's Word, and it showed in the life he lived. For many decades, he carried around a newspaper clipping in his wallet with this poem by Bessie A. Stanley.
To Laugh Often and Much
To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived there.
This is to have succeeded.
If these words are at all true, John Sullivan was indeed a success.
It was his family, though, that was John's real and abiding heart. A loving and committed husband and a wise and dedicated father, it was his 4 beautiful grand-girls that brought him the most joy and fulfillment in his final years.
Flowers are welcome and memorial donations may be shared to the General Budget of First Baptist Church of Albemarle, 202 N. Second St., Albemarle, NC 28001
Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Sullivan family.
He was born December 12, 1946, to the late H.G. and Velda Sullivan in Flat Rock, KY.
The funeral service will be held at 11am on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Albemarle officiated by Rev. Andy Jung and Dr. Kendell Cameron, with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Private burial will follow.
Mr. Sullivan is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Alexander Sullivan, a daughter, Marti Tidwell (Jason) and son, Alex Sullivan (Pamela) and four much beloved granddaughters, Sadie Brynn Sullivan, Remi Chadwick Sullivan, Aniston Claire Tidwell and Reese Caroline Tidwell. He is also survived by a brother, Frank Sullivan of Paducah, KY and a sister Doris Brown of Murray, KY and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Sullivan is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Jonathan "Chad" Chadwick Sullivan.
A retired hospital CEO, John lived a life in service to others and was known to all who knew him as kind and humble leader and a true gentleman.
John started his career in the early 70's with Healthcare Corporations of America and served in hospitals in Livingston,TN, Athens, TN, and Mayfield, KY. In 1988, he moved his family to North Carolina to serve as CEO of what was then Stanly Memorial Hospital in Albemarle. At Stanly Memorial he become known for his daily rounds, walking the halls of the hospital, even on weekends and holidays, getting to know the employees and making sure they knew they were appreciated for their work and dedication. In 1995, he began his tenure with Carolinas Healthcare Systems as an Executive Vice President. However, it was in 2008, when John moved to Mt. Pleasant, SC to oversee the building of the new Roper St. Francis Mt. Pleasant Hospital, that he found the crown of his career by establishing an organization from the ground up full of people with the same heart to serve others. To this day, it is among the top hospitals in the nation for customer and patient satisfaction.
John would tell you none of this. However, instead he would ask about you and your family, and how he could be praying for you. An active member for more than 35 years of First Baptist Church of Albemarle and a man of deep faith and conviction, his focus was never on himself, but on the God he served and caring for and meeting the needs of those around him. He started and ended every day studying God's Word, and it showed in the life he lived. For many decades, he carried around a newspaper clipping in his wallet with this poem by Bessie A. Stanley.
To Laugh Often and Much
To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived there.
This is to have succeeded.
If these words are at all true, John Sullivan was indeed a success.
It was his family, though, that was John's real and abiding heart. A loving and committed husband and a wise and dedicated father, it was his 4 beautiful grand-girls that brought him the most joy and fulfillment in his final years.
Flowers are welcome and memorial donations may be shared to the General Budget of First Baptist Church of Albemarle, 202 N. Second St., Albemarle, NC 28001
Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Sullivan family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Reed Sullivan, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Funeral Service
Saturday, April 6, 2024
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
First Baptist Church
Visitation
Saturday, April 6, 2024
1:00 - 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
First Baptist Church
Guestbook
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