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Joshua Lane Sullivan, 46, of Mize, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 8, 2025. He was born on August 31, 1979, to Sonny Sullivan and the late Diane Harvey Sullivan.
He was a 1998 graduate of Mize Attendance Center, where he was loved very much by his classmates and teachers. He was an outstanding football player and was proud to be part of the 1995 1A State Championship Mize Football team. He continued his education, earning a Horticulture Degree from Jones County Junior College.
Josh loved the outdoors, as evidenced by his work. He was a hard worker and took much pride in his work. Over the years, he worked in different areas, from ground maintenance at Hudspeth and Boswell, Deep Well Energy Services, Sullivan Enterprises, Rutland Farms, Agri-AFC, Green Pointe Ag, and Helena Ag. Josh also owned and operated Sullivan Lawn Care, where he designed landscapes and performed routine ground maintenance with his family.
Although he loved doing anything outdoors, his passion was hunting. He was always ready to tell a story about how he and his friends would set out on the weekend as teenagers to fish a lake or even drive all night to a Texas deer camp. As an adult, he would hunt around home and enjoyed making deer plots with his kids, Uncle Jimmy, and his brother, Joey.
Josh was a true country boy. He grew up working on his family farm with his siblings. He was a member of the FFA, competing in competitions and showing livestock.
He married the love of his life, Kim, on September 1, 2001. She was his best friend, sidekick, helpmate, prayer partner, and mother of his two beautiful children, Faith and Jake. Josh and Kim raised their kids on livestock and Jesus. For many years, Josh could be seen ringside, getting the livestock ready, giving words of encouragement to his children and others around the barn, or just lending a helping hand to anyone in need. He was the driving force behind his kids’ successful careers in livestock.
Josh was an active member of Magee Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Although he was never ordained as a deacon, after his father-in-law died in 2020, Josh stepped up to become a great leader in the church, taking on all the responsibilities Mr. Kenny had.
Josh believed in serving others. Over the years, he served and supported many organizations in Smith County, whether physically, spiritually, or monetarily. Josh was one of the first to step up for a cause. For 21 years, he was a proud member of the Mize Volunteer Fire Department and the Smith County Livestock Association. He enjoyed mentoring children and was also proud to be involved in several handicap-hunting ministries. If you needed money raised, work done, or support given, Josh was your man.
Josh took pride in being an uncle. He joked often about being able to spoil the kids and send them back home after they filled up on love and candy. He also had the privilege of being called Uncle Josh by other kids outside the family. He thought it was so important to spend time with kids and show them love.
His children and wife were his life. He worked hard every day to make sure they had everything they needed. Josh wanted to make sure his kids had everything they needed. He wanted to make sure his kids knew he was there for them and never missed a chance to coach, teach, cheer, or motivate them. He was often one of the first there and the last to leave, nevermind being the loudest.
Josh would always let you know where you stood with him and stand up for what he thought was right, even if you disagreed. Sometimes this got him in trouble, but he wanted his children to know it was okay to let their voices be heard.
Josh was preceded in death by his mother, Diane Harvey Sullivan; his maternal grandparents, Kenneth Clark and Willow Dean Kennedy Clark; his uncles, Kenneth Malcolm Harvey and Kenny Glisson; and his in-laws, Kenneth and Sheila Patterson.
He is survived by his loving wife of twenty-four years, Kimberly Patterson Sullivan; daughter, Faith Claranna Sullivan; son, Jacob “Jake” Kenneth Sullivan; father, Sonny Sullivan (Glinda); brothers, Justin Sullivan, Joey Sullivan (Caitlin); sister, Alex Sullivan (Joseph); sister-in-law, Kayla Ware (Zach); brother-in-law, Brad Patterson (Susan); nieces and nephews, Rhett Sullivan, Rivers Sullivan, Thomas Patterson; paternal grandparents, Dewey Lafern and Maxine King Sullivan; aunts and uncles, Wanda Glisson, Jennifer Niles (Tom); special family members, Uncle Jimmy and Kathy Shoemake, Kayla Robinson Everett (bonus daughter), bonus niece and nephews, Jake Everett, Lily Everett, Lydia Everett, Cindy-Ann Everett, and Quade Norris.
The family will receive friends on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Tutor Funeral Home in Magee, MS, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00 am at Maranatha Baptist Church in Mount Olive, MS, with Bro. H.B. Floyd, Bro. Judy Jackson and Bro. Josh Tutor officiating. Interment will follow in Maranatha Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Joey Sullivan, Lance Morgan, Phillip Magee, Tony Austin, Kevin Austin, Jarrod Smith, and Benjie Purser. Honorary pallbearers are Jimmy Shoemake, Justin Sullivan, Rhett Sullivan, Thomas Patterson, Quade Norris, Jake Everett, Scotye Glisson, Evan Niles, Kenneth Niles, Michael Eason, James Middleton, Calvin Vowell, Rodney Jenkins, Pete Casio, Dennis Ainsworth, Ray White, Steve Luckey, Helena Ag Crew-Mize Division, and Mize Volunteer Fire Department.
In lieu of flowers, a college fund has been established for Faith and Jake Sullivan at Priority One Bank. You can contact Christina Walker at POB, 1596 Simpson Hwy 49, PO Box 219, Magee, MS 39111, 601 849-4690.
Arrangements are entrusted to Tutor Funeral Home of Magee.
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