Charles Franklin Sullivan

Charles Franklin Sullivan went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 16, 2026, at the age of 90. He was born in Pageland, South Carolina on December 4, 1935 to Oscar and Bertha Jordan Sullivan, the oldest of five children.

Charles was 14 years old when he left his family farm to work at the Pepsi Cola Bottling Plant in Charlotte, NC. He started out racking empty Pepsi bottles and painting Pepsi signs on barns. For the next 53 years he held many positions there, ultimately becoming the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the only company he ever worked for.

Charles was a dedicated husband for 68 years to the love of his life, Bobbie Jean Robinson. They met at a church revival when he asked her if she wanted a piece of chewing gum. They had a wonderful life together and spent a lot of time at the beach, where you could find them fishing and enjoying spending time with family at their vacation home in Garden City, South Carolina. They also enjoyed traveling. Some of their favorite destinations were Hawaii, Thailand, England, Ireland, Greece and New York. After Charlie's retirement, he devoted his time to serving at his church. You could see him mowing the church yard, taking church bulletins to members that could no longer attend church due to health issues and visiting members that were in nursing homes. He and Bobbie Jean, along with their best friends Eddie and Janet Starnes, started a Senior Citizen luncheon once a month at their church. Charlie was always in the background serving wherever there was a need.

He was a guiding patriarch to his children, Frankie, Vicky, Sandy, Charlene and Mike and a doting grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Charlie taught his children the importance of family, hard work, and living a life pleasing to God, always leading by example and with a gentle spirit.

Charlie is survived by his children, Vicky (Rick) Mclnnis, Sandy Hargett, Charlene (Randy) Copeland, Mike (Martha) Sullivan; 10 grandchildren & 25 great-grandchildren; his sister, Mildred (John) Payne, brothers Richard Sullivan and Bobby (Martha) Sullivan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie Jean, his oldest son, Frankie, his parents and his brother James.

The family would like to thank Sue Robinson for the excellent care, friendship and support that she provided to Charles for the past three years.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 12:00 pm until 12:45 pm at New Salem Baptist Church, located at 2915 Goldmine Road, Monroe, North Carolina, 28110. A funeral service to celebrate Charlie’s life will be held following the visitation at 1:00 pm with Pastor Douglas Rumley officiating.

Burial will follow immediately after the service at the church cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcewenmonroechapel.com for the Sullivan family.

McEwen Funeral Home of Monroe is honored to serve the family of Charles Franklin Sullivan.