Corrie Sullivan

Mrs. Corrie Humbert Sullivan, formerly of 50 Tuskegee Street, Greenville, South Carolina, departed this life on Wednesday, July 5, 2017, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her ALPHA SUNRISE into this world was April 21, 1919, in Greenville County, SC. She was the fourth of nine children born to Mr. William “Boss” and Mrs. Lula Stewart Humbert. According to Psalm 90:10, she lived her threescore years (60) and ten (70) and ‘if by reason of strength’ fourscore years (80) and 18 years on her fifth score (100) DUE TO GOD’S FAVOR. She was 98 years old.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. James “Boot” Sullivan, Jr., father and mother in-law, Mr. & Mrs. James and Carrie McCullough Sullivan, Sr.; four sisters, Mrs. Inez Humbert Ware, Ms. Emma Lee Humbert, Ms. Annie Mae Humbert, and Mrs. Sarah Humbert McKinley; two brothers, Deacon William Maryman Humbert and Mr. Casper Humbert; three brothers-in-law, Mr. A.C. Ware, Mr. Henry Earl Lake, and Mr. Billy McKinley; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Lillian W. “Beede” Humbert, and Mrs. Mary Humbert; one nephew, Mr. Arthur Humbert, New Haven, Connecticut; one niece, Mrs. Betty Lou S. Brock, Greenville, SC, and one great-niece, Ms. Rashada Thomas, Simpsonville, SC.

She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Gale S. Brown, Knoxville, Tennessee; former son-in-law, Mr. Jacob Brown, Sr.; two grandsons, Mr. Jacob Brown, II, and Mr. Justin Sullivan Brown, both of Knoxville, Tennessee; two great granddaughters, Samariah Reign, and Leiana “Leilei” Hope Brown; one devoted brother, Mr. James “Jimbo” Humbert, Greenville, SC; one devoted sister, Mrs. Frances Humbert Lake of Piedmont, SC.; one sister- in-law, Mrs. Dorothy T. Humbert of Simpsonville, SC; a devoted niece, Ms. Rosalind McKinley of Greenville, SC; a devoted friend, Deacon Thomas Perkins; six nieces; three nephews; several great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great- nephews, one great-great,-great-niece, and a host of Humbert, Stewart, and Marshall relatives and friends.

CHURCH - At an early age, she joined the New Forksville Baptist Church where she served faithfully until her health failed, and she moved to Knoxville, Tennessee in 1998. She was also a Sunday School Teacher at Nicholtown Baptist Church, Ackley Road, Greenville, SC where her first cousin, Rev. C. C. Stewart, Sr., was Pastor.
.
EDUCATION - She attended New Forksville Elementary School under the late Principal, Rev. Tom Butler, and graduated from Chapman Grove High School in 1937, under her cousin, Principal John “Prof” Chapman. Blessed with tall height, she excelled in basketball, and this led to a full Athletic Scholarship to Friendship Junior College, Rock Hill, SC. As a member of the Friendship Junior College Basketball Team, she along with her fellow team member, her sister, Miss Annie Mae Humbert, made basketball history in South Carolina by defeating South Carolina State College in 1939. She was a 1939 graduate of Friendship College where she earned the Associate Degree in Elementary Education. She was a 1952 graduate of Benedict College, Columbia, SC. She did further study at Indiana University and Furman University. She earned the Masters Degree in Education from Clemson University in 1975.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER - She was an elementary school teacher for over 35 years teaching at Center Rabun Elementary, Laurens County for 8 years, and Nicholtown Elementary School, Greenville, SC, in segregation, and Mitchell Road Elementary School in integration where she retired. She also taught in Adult in Education.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS - She was a member of the Palmetto State Teachers Association in the days of segregation for black teachers. She was a member of the Greenville County Education Association (GCEA), South Carolina Education Association (SCEA), and the National Education Association (NEA) in integration.

BUSINESS LADY - She was a former owner of Twin Oaks Café, Ackley Road, Greenville, SC, founded by her late in-laws in the 1940s.

CHURCH FUNDRAISER - She was a great fundraiser for New Forksville Baptist Church down through the years for the In-door Baptismal Pool, first Church Organ, Air-Conditioner, and new Carpet and Seat Covers. She and the late Mrs. Elizabeth Gaines did sellings at the old New Forksville School for the Church. She had a Program every 5th Sunday to help the Church.

MISSIONARY CIRCLE - She served as Secretary of the Missionary Circle.

GOSPEL CHOIR - She was an original member of the New Forksville Gospel Choir.

FOUNDER - She started the Family Day Celebration every 2nd Sunday in March, and the Harvest Day Celebration every 4th Sunday in November in which the late Mr. & Mrs. Ted and Bernice Stewart contributed many vegetables along with other church members.