Shavon Denise Sullivan went to be her Savior on April 22, 2023. Shavon was a kind and loving soul with a heart of gold and a deep passion for music, family, and serving the Lord. She sought ways to make others feel loved and valued, and to show that she cared. Shavon had a voice that was as beautiful as an angel’s. When she sang, she had a particular talent for putting a smile on your face, bringing a tear to your eye, giving you goosebumps, or making the hair on your arm stand at attention – sometimes all at the same time. She particularly loved attending gospel singing conventions in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas, and she wrote many songs for the convention songbooks. She also proudly and lovingly served on the faculty at the Texas State Gospel School of Music.
Shavon was born on December 15, 1965 in Shreveport, Louisiana, the firstborn child of Muriel and Lavon Sullivan. She graduated from Saline High School and then attended Northwestern State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music. During this time, she served as a missionary in Lake Tahoe, California and then in Frankfurt, Germany. After graduating from college, she entered the workforce in bi-vocational roles while serving in music ministries at various churches in Louisiana. After feeling the call to work with children, she obtained a Master of Divinity in Childhood Education from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She worked in children’s ministries at various churches in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and then became a music teacher in the public school system until her retirement. Most recently, she continued serving the Lord as music minister at Beech Springs Baptist Church in Quitman, Louisiana.
Shavon loved crafting, quilting, and sewing, often gifting items she made to family and close friends. She was also an avid reader and loved science fiction movies and television shows. She had a competitive spirit and a sarcastic wit that especially shone through during family game time.
Shavon was survived by her parents Muriel and Lavon Sullivan; brother, Eric Sullivan (Vicki); sisters Penny Holstead (Tim) and Mitsy Huffstetler (Shane); nieces Kelsi Mitchell (Kyle), Lindsey McMurry (T.D.), and Shannon Huffstetler; nephews Chet Andrews, Cody Andrews (Caitlin), Colt Andrews, Stephen Holstead, and Kaleb Holstead; great-nephew Brennon Huffstetler; great-niece Ann Andrews; and numerous cousins, including her especially-close cousins Brad Dison (Victoria) and Jasper Dison. Her grandparents were George and Ruby Sullivan of Ashland, Louisiana, and Joe and Amy Harper of Saline Louisiana.
Her funeral service is scheduled for 2 pm on Saturday May 6 at the Ashland Baptist Church in Ashland, Louisiana. Visitation is Friday from 5-7 pm. She’ll be buried at Carolina Baptist Church cemetery, alongside several generations of her family.
To honor Shavon’s memory, we suggest that you support that which she appreciated so much: using music to enlarge the Kingdom of God. Please make a generous donation to the music department at your own church, or to a vocal performance group of your choice.
