Mildred J Sullivan

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)

Our precious mother, Mildred Wilkerson Alston, was born on February 1, 1925, to the late Reverend Matthew Wilkerson and Mary Jones Wilkerson, in Georgia. Her family relocated to Florida in the late thirties. Mildred is known for showing kindness to all she encountered in life. Her motherly love and wit was perfectly fitting for the name that all love to call her, “Mother Dear.” Our Mother Dear never met a stranger, and shared her home, food, and whatever she could give to those who came to her in need. Her heart was always open to lift your spirit and encourage you to prosper in life. Her pantry was never empty, and her hugs were always available to the young and old.

Mildred worked as a field laborer from 1935 to 1960, harvesting various crops such corn, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, celery and cherries. In 1960, she attended culinary school in Palm Beach County. She received a certification to work as cook for Palm Beach City School District. She accepted a position at Lake Shore High school and worked for 10 years as a professional cook, eventually becoming a supervisor. She left the school system to work in various organizations doing what she loved to do most. She cooked for the different local restaurants, field workers of the Jamaican camps in Belle Glade, migrant workers in Immokalee, Florida, and farm workers, traveling throughout the United States.

After Mildred retired from professional cooking, she began using her advocacy skills. In December of 1985, she began working in the capacity of an advocate, and served on the advisory board of Palm Beach County Community and Economic Development Board as a representative of the Belle Glade community. Before retiring, she worked for the Community Development in Belle Glade as well as the State of Florida Department of Children and Family services. In February of 1988 the Mental Health Association presented her an award of excellence in recognition of her valuable service in the advancement of Mental Health in the community. Devoted to community service, Mildred also worked for the Citizen Planning Advisory Committee. They were impressed with her efforts, in July 31, 1991 the City commission reappointed her to work for three more years.

Mildred had such a great love and admiration of one of God’s greatest creation, flowers. Her home was always filled and surround by beautiful flowers of all colors and kind. In April of 1988, Ms. Sullivan received a certification of recognition from Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce beautification committee for how she decorated her property with flowers. She also took great pride in beautifying her home in Fort Myers with colorful flowers of all types.

She was a devoted member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist church in Belle Glade from 1960 to 1990. There she served as the President of the Missionary Prayer Band. She was also a member of the choir, and was recognized in 1984 for her years of service in planning choir’s anniversaries.

In 1991, she and her husband James moved to Fort Myers Florida, where they worshipped at Saint Mary Missionary Baptist Church for the remainder of their earthly lives. James passed on March 19, 2015. They were married over 40 years. Saint Mary Missionary Baptist Church was dear to Mildred’s heart. As a member of Saint Mary Missionary Baptist Church, she served as the Mother of the church and became the president of the Missionary department.

Mildred’s parents had seven children: Israel, Zaman, Linear, Mae Val, Evadale Christine, and Armenia. She is the last to depart for heaven. She leaves behind those who will always celebrate her life: two beloved daughters, Vivian Sullivan Bain of Cincinnati, OH and Linda Donaldson Oliver of Syracuse, NY (Frank), four devoted sons: Shareef Thabit of Ft. Myers (Beulah), Levi Donaldson of Detroit, MI, Eugene Donaldson of Baltimore, MD, Carnell Donaldson of Coleman FL, Aldrana Seymour of SC, the Donaldson children, Moses Wilson, and Tracy Thompson. Her beloved daughter Josephine Sullivan Kellman, who preceded her in death, departed on March 5, 2009.

She leaves to carry on her memory the following grandchildren: LaVerne Rutledge (Vince), Larry Sullivan, Patricia Oglesby (Elder Jeffrey, deceased), Bonnie Davis, Carmelnita Sullivan, Jean Davis, Keith Rose, Vicki Donaldson, Tony Edwards, Delvon Edwards, Kesa Donaldson Adjima, Arnetta Donaldson (Vincent), Takesha Wilson, TyQuili Booker (DeWuan), Ramota Tripland (Richard), Keyon Thompson (Beatrice), Shareef Thabit, Leavie Donaldson, Demaynard Seymour (Millicent), Chasity Allen (Shane), Cereta James (Raynard), and a host of great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. Her treasured grandson, Zelvas Bain and beautiful great granddaughter, Lynair Sullivan both preceded her in death.