Shirley Mae Sullivan (Church)

Shirley Mae Sullivan (Church), of Glenwood, Arkansas, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on November 15, 2025.

Shirley was born on July 12, 1939, in Di Giorgio, California, to John F. Church and Agnes Emily Church. She attended school in Arvin, California, where in 1957 she met the love of her life, William “Bill” Sullivan. They were married on May 10, 1958, and went on to share a beautiful life together for 67 years.

Throughout those years, Shirley and Bill built a life filled with love, commitment, and joy. Their greatest accomplishment was their family. They were blessed with two sons, James (Jim) and Jay, and made their home in Bakersfield, California. Shirley was an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She adored her three grandchildren—Bianca, Jamee, and Jeffrey—and was deeply proud of her six great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

If you knew Shirley, you loved her. She was one of the kindest souls—always willing to give everything she had to help someone else. She could strike up a conversation with anyone, and more often than not, her favorite topic was her family. She was a gifted storyteller, frequently sharing cherished memories of her childhood in Di Giorgio and Arvin. Even at 86, she lovingly referred to her parents as “Momma and Daddy.”

Shirley had a deep love for animals and would put food out for the ones that wandered through the forest near her home. Although she had a soft spot for nearly all creatures, she was quite fearful of grasshoppers. She also had a passion for trees and flowers—so knowledgeable that you could ask her about any plant, and she would share not only its name, but a story to go with it.

She will be truly missed by all who were blessed to call her Mom, Granny, Gramma, Gramma Great, and Sugg which Bill called her often.

Shirley is survived by her devoted husband, William; her sons James Sullivan (Liz) of Glenwood, AR, and Jay Sullivan of Las Vegas, NV; her grandchildren Bianca of Santa Maria, CA, Jamee (Matthew) of Iona, ID, and Jeffrey (Kristina) of Rigby, ID; her six great-grandchildren Valen, Jillian, Cole, Corey, Sean, and Hailee May; her three great-great-grandchildren; and her brother James (Penny).

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sister, and many beloved relatives and friends.

Private family services will be held.