Troy was born August 16, 1927, in Fayette County, Alabama. Mr. Sullivan attended Bobo School through the 9th grade. He began working at the age of 7 plowing fields on his family farm. He held his first paying job at the age of 12, making $2 a month lighting stoves to heat the town schoolhouse. He began working in the cotton mill at the age of 16, a career which would eventually bring him to Jackson, TN, working at the Bemis Mill for over 10 years until he started his own appliance repair business. He permanently retired in 1999, although he never actually stopped working. He was a longtime member of Meridian Baptist Church. Troy had an extremely generous soul and found great joy in giving to others while dedicating his life to care for and spend time with his family. He loved hunting and fishing, and he was a simple, kind, and hardworking family man who quietly lived out his values and his faith.
Troy was preceded in death by his parents, Gussie and Annie, his loving wife of 67 years, Mary Jo, and 4 special sons-in-law, James Watkins, Larry Crews, Foster Motley, and Phillip Diffee.
He is survived by his five children, Ann Motley, Barbara Crews, Dale Sullivan (Pam), Wanda Hurst (Vincent), and Sandra Diffee. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Fleetwood and Bonnie Trimble; 10 grandchildren: Donna Moore (Bobby), Michael Watkins, Pat Crews, Kim Wuestefeld (Tom), David Sullivan (Christina), Meagan Jones (JP), Jason Hurst (Michelle), Ryan Diffee, Will Diffee, and Jeni Wilbanks (Judd); 17 great grandchildren: Holly Wilks (Clay), Andrew Moore, Jessica and Lilly Ann Watkins, Madison Kuykendall, Kylie Dunavan (Casey), Nikki, Tyler, and Logan Sullivan, Chrissy and Sully Jones, Saige and Jaycee Hurst, Wyatt, Ty, and Kaydee Diffee, and Crews Wilbanks; and 2 great great grandchildren: Troy and Nolan Wilks.
He was blessed during his last months of life by the care and affection of a very dedicated and special hospice nurse, Melissa Kirk, who Troy loved like one of his own. He is remembered and will be missed by many community members and friends, especially his loyal group of coffee shop buddies.
A visitation with friends and loved ones for Troy will be held Saturday, January 11, 2020 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Meridian Baptist Church, 161 Harts Bridge Rd., Jackson. The visitation will resume on Sunday from 1-2 p.m., one hour prior to the service.
The funeral service is to be conducted on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary of Meridian Baptist Church with Bro. Larry Kirk officiating and Bro. Jimmy Horton, pastor of Southside Baptist Church and former Jackson mayor Jerry Gist are to speak. Burial will follow in Ebenezer Cemetery in Malesus.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Room in the Inn fund at Meridian Baptist Church, as this ministry was near to Troy’s heart. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gasmithandsonsfuneralhome.com for the Sullivan family.
