Roy Sullivan

On April 13, 1937, Pierce Sullivan Sr. and Ora Lee Sullivan welcomed their first child, Roy Sanders Sullivan, to the world.  He was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  He loved his parents, family and friends.  He became a proud and responsible big brother to his siblings, Pierce and Joanne.  While their father was away due to his military service duties, his mother relied on him to help her around the house, run errands and care for his younger siblings.

In 1950, his family moved to New York in search of better opportunities.  He fell in love with his new city and became a proud New Yorker. His family settled in the Corona, N.Y. neighborhood. He attended Newtown High School but dropped out and obtained a GED because he became extremely aggravated with the racism he faced while attending.

He went on to join the U.S. Air Force in the late 1960s where he served as an aircraft mechanic and traveled the world. He ended up stationed in Greenville, SC. During this time, he had his first two children, Joann and Tracey.

He was honorably discharged after 7 years of service and returned to New York. He secured full time federal employment with the General Services Administration (GSA). He became supervisor of custodial services and remained there until he retired.

He met Rosia Baker during this time. Their union spanned 7 years.  He embraced her three children as his own and shortly before his 50th birthday, he added one to the clan, Royell.

Shortly after retiring from GSA, Roy returned to Greenville, SC to care for his aging mother until her death.  He continued to look after his nephews, Darryl and Michael Simmons after his sister and mother passed away.

Once he decided to remain in Greenville, he went on to marry his neighbor, Theressa McDaniel. Their union spanned 15 years and he embraced an additional two children as his own. He remained life long friends with his wives.

He leaves behind a host of loved ones including but not limited to: His Children: Joann Sullivan, Tracey Sullivan-Blackwell (Ben Blackwell), Royell Sullivan-Green (Ernest L. Green Jr.) and one Grandson of the home, Braylon Jerome Blackwell. His Stepchildren: Russell McDaniel, Kevin Sullivan, Candiace Baker, Mary Simone Baker, Moses Lloyd Baker, Stephanie McDaniel and Nicole McDaniel. He also leaves behind a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, his best friend Geoffrey and his one beloved surviving Aunt Juanita (Sweetie) Griffin.