November 1, 1933 ~ July 2, 2023 (age 89)
Geraldene Mayfield Sullivan of Stephenville, Texas, passed from an extraordinary life into eternal peace on July 2, 2023.
She was born on November 1, 1933, in Clairette, Texas, to Arch Grinnin Mayfield and Myrtle George Flemmons. Geraldene was a member of SHS graduating class of 1953 and was named Band Sweetheart in the same year. She was a devoted member of the Stephenville First United Methodist Church.
Geraldene met William Edwin Sullivan at a square dance at the Stephenville Rec Hall. She rejected Ed’s advances initially because he could not dance. Geraldene assured him if he would learn she would go out with him. The two would go on to joyfully dance a lifetime together, marrying on November 24, 1952.
Together they raised three children beginning on a 500+ acre dairy farm in Stephenville that now encompasses River North One to Golf Country Estates. The five of them worked the farm side by side for many years. The family then went on to own and operate The Service Center/Wesco, a farm & ranch supply business with a fertilizer service at the back of the store.
Moving on, they were the founders and operators of the Cross Timbers Country Opry in Stephenville, bringing fresh country talent to the stage for many years. Their love of music transitioned from the opry to a bus tour service, Sullivan Tours, escorting their patrons to Branson, Missouri, twice a year.
In addition to these life adventures, Ed and Geraldene maintained several rental properties in Stephenville. Geraldene was the heart and driving force of all of these operations, tending to the details, financial aspects and behind-the-scenes duties of self-employment throughout their lifetime.
Geraldene’s passions were dancing, anything artistic and any and every flowering plant or tree. At each of their four homes, the flower beds were magnificent and the yards luscious, spacious and full of fun, especially when the grandchildren began to arrive. “Granna” and “Pop-Pop” turned those yards into a virtual wonderland for her children and grandbabies to thrive in and enjoy. She had a habit of stopping on the street if a pretty plant caught her eye and asking the owner for a cutting. Her beds contained many contributions from Stephenville residents.
She was extremely artistic but not in the traditional sense of painting or drawing, although she was remarkable at the latter, funneling her talents instead into making art out of life, which she did in spectacular fashion sharing graciously with her family. A family holiday favorite each year was covering a whole wall with blank butcher paper and requiring everyone, and I mean everyone, who crossed through the door to draw, color, or paint their contribution to the turkeys, Christmas ornaments, Christmas trees, or whatever the subject was that year. You were not allowed to leave until you had done so.
Geraldene was a believer in being prepared for life from the moment she awoke each morning until she rested her busy head each night. She sought out the treasures and joys of life and explored, enjoyed and shared to the fullest. Most people remember her gorgeous smile each time they speak of her, because it was indeed beautiful, and she shared it generously. She never met a stranger and took the time to try to know what each person was about. Her pleasure with life was contagious, and she loved to spread it.
If you were lucky enough to know Geraldene, aka Granna, your life is better for having done so. Geraldene is survived by her children, Kyle Wesley Sullivan and wife Rose, Karen Elaine Nelson and her children Kory Layne Nelson and wife Kelsi and Annalea Belle Nelson, and Barry Kane Sullivan and his children Dawn Karen Sullivan and Nichole Loretta Sullivan, and great-grandchildren Mia, Wylie, Maisy, Jayden, Jace, Jax, Ava, Nevaeh, & Jennesa. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband William Edwin Sullivan, twin sister Learlene (Mayfield) Parnell, sister Mary (Mayfield) Matthews, and brother George Cranston Mayfield.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. July 22, 2023, at Lacy Funeral Home. A private family graveside memorial will be conducted at Clairette Cemetery.
In of lieu of flowers, Geraldene would request that you plant something to be enjoyed by all. If planting is not your thing, she would ask you to paint a rock and leave it somewhere to be smiled upon. Donations may also be made in her memory to Erath County Master Gardeners. “But only if you want to,” she would say.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. July 22, 2023, at Lacy Funeral Home. A private family graveside memorial will be conducted at Clairette Cemetery.