Hershel Lloyd Sullivan 1936-2024

Hershel Lloyd Sullivan, 88, completed his earthy journey on Sept. 30, 2024. Lloyd was born Aug. 26, 1936 in the community of Concord in Wood County to Parker and Lois Hartsfield Sullivan, the 5th of seven children. He grew up as a country boy, playing and working on the family farm. He attended Concord School then graduated from Quitman High School in 1954. Lloyd moved to Dallas to continue his education and received a certificate in accounting from Draughn School of Business and then worked at Texaco. He also served in the Army Reserves from 1956 through 1962.

Lloyd met his beloved wife, Jo Ann Belcher Sullivan during a volleyball game at her church and they married in 1958. This was the start of a beautiful marriage, family and life for the two of them. Lloyd loved his wife dearly for their 52 years together.

Lloyd returned to his roots and the community he loved and moved back to Quitman in 1960. He held multiple jobs and positions and was always proud of his work at Wood County Electric, as office manager, First National Bank Quitman as teller and vice president, along with various other second jobs. Lloyd retired from the bank but did not know what to do with free time so he sold real estate for a handful of years.

Lloyd Sullivan was a long time member of New Hope Baptist Church in Mineola, where he continued a family legacy of serving God by serving others. His role as a deacon in church could not have been a more fitting role for his servant spirit that brightly shown both in and outside the walls of the church. Lloyd was a member of too many civic and service organizations to list. He was especially fond of his long time roles in the Rotary Club of Quitman, Old Settlers Reunion Board and serving as election judge in Quitman. He was Quitman Citizen of the Year in 1984. He was known for taking care of the tasks that others might not notice, often sneaking in the background of work being done or picking up trash in the parking lot of where he worked in early hours of the day before anyone else arrived. Hard tasks did not deter Lloyd as stories have continued of him climbing on top of the bank to fix stuck tubes for the drive through and also decking the top of the bank with lights for the Christmas season. 

Lloyd found peace in the outdoors and spent much of his life from boyhood to his final years caring for the earth, growing food and making things. He was known for having an incredible green thumb, keeping a beautiful yard and using these skills for others. 

He worked hard, often multiple jobs at one time, but still always made a way to put his family first. The love and care Lloyd had for his family was unmatched. He doted on his wife in the most special ways, saw his daughter as his proudest accomplishment, looked upon his son-in-law as a true son, and his role as Poppy to his one and only grandchild was his favorite and they were best pals from birth and into her adulthood. He also loved his siblings, nieces and nephews, and cousins deeply. It would be a correct assumption to make that if one knew Lloyd Sullivan, they knew he loved his family, rarely sat still, and they probably felt very known and cared about by him.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Ann Belcher Sullivan; parents, Parker and Lois Sullivan;  and four-siblings. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Randy Osborne of Mineola; granddaughter, Hannah Osborne of Waco; siblings, Mike Sullivan of Mineola and Don Sullivan and wife Wanda of Lindale; sister-in-law, Norma Belcher McVicker of Mineola; numerous nieces and nephews, of three generations, whom is he was very fond of; and long time friend, Geneva Boman. Numerous friends and family who found themselves knowing Lloyd will also be grieving his earthly departure. 

Lloyd ended his days navigating the disease of dementia. Though his own memory became poor, the memories he leaves his friends, family and community will continue to live and the impact of his life will be around for years to come.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to New Hope Baptist Church Building Fund or Methodist Children’s Home in Waco (mch.org), as Lloyd was especially proud of the work Hannah does while working there.