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Ted Sullivan, 82 of Mount Olive, MS passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2025 surrounded by his family. Ted entered this world on October 29, 1942, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, MS, weighing just one and a half pounds. He was born to B.F. and Helen Marie Sullivan. Against all odds, Ted remained in the hospital for eight months and fought hard to survive — and he did.
Ted went on to live a full and inspiring life as a deaf man. He worked for many years at the Jackson Coca-Cola Company, never allowing his disability to define or limit him. Ted met life with determination and grace.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 3:00 pm until the funeral service on Friday, October 24th at 11:00 am at Calvary Baptist Church of Saratoga in Mt. Olive, MS. Bro. Gary Roberts and Bro. Laban Blakeney will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee is in charge of arrangements. 601-849-5031
If you met Ted, you loved him — and if he met you, he remembered you. He never forgot a face or a kind word. Ted had a gift for making everyone feel valued. He loved people deeply, and his warm sense of humor and friendly spirit left a lasting impression wherever he went.
Ted especially loved woodworking, often creating and giving away his handmade pieces to the people he cared about. But above all, his greatest love was for his family, whom he cherished with all his heart.
Ted loved like Jesus — with kindness, forgiveness, and compassion. He held no grudges and was quick to say, “Just forget that, he is good.” Ted never had hard feelings toward anyone. Everyone was good to him, and he was good to everyone.
Ted was a kind and gentle soul. If everyone had a heart like Ted’s, the world would be a much better place.
He was preceded in death by his father, B.F. Sullivan; mother, Helen Craft Sullivan; sister-in-law, Billie Joyce Sullivan; and life-long companion, Lottie Skeen.
Survivors include his daughter, Tammy Wright (Kenny); brother, Dempsey Sullivan (Bobbie Kennedy); sisters, Jennifer Underwood (Craig) and Johnnie Foster (Tommy); grandchildren, Danielle Caldwell (Erik) and Corey Roberson; great grandchildren, Braelyn Sullivan, Michael Roberson and Tanner Sullivan; numerous nieces, nephews, and other family.
Ted is also survived by the children and grandchildren of his life-long companion, Lottie whom he loved dearly.
Pallbearers will be Dempsey Sullivan, Erik Caldwell, Thomas Foster, Jace Foster, Jordan Foster, Jon Meadows, and Justin Meadows.
Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Roberson, Tanner Sullivan, Conner Different, Christian Russell, Craig Underwood, and Kenny Wright.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com
MageeNews.com is the online news source for Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
