Mary Olga Sullivan

Mary Olga Gresham Sullivan, 87, passed away June 19, 2026. She was born May 31, 1939 in Tallassee, Alabama to Ruby Grace Viola Lee Fuller Gresham and Charles Webster Gresham.

Visitation will begin at 10 am with funeral service to follow at 12 pm on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at Linville Memorial Funeral Home. Pastor Frank Hayes will officiate and burial will follow in Carrville Cemetery.

Mary loved her family whole heartedly, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to whom she was lovingly known as "MawMaw". Ms. Sullivan was a hard-working woman. She enjoyed raising all animals and being with her 2 sweet dogs. She also enjoyed reading the newspaper, watching game shows, going to yard sales and thrift stores, looking at sunsets, rocking in a rocking chair, and laughing on the phone. She was a stellar caregiver to many families in and around Tallassee. She was an outstanding member of the community and would help anyone in need. Ms. Sullivan was the best role model she could be. She never smoked and she never drank. She lived 87 long, love-filled years watching all of her children grow up and watching all the kids have kids. She enjoyed being a mother so much. She never stopped raising and helping raise any of the children around her, even some adults. She's been to Louisiana, then back to Alabama, trying to find a place that felt like home. She finally decided home was where she was born - in the small town of Tallassee, Alabama. She lived here and worked here most of her life. She has come to know almost everyone around. She raised children that were not hers nor related to her, and loved them as her own. She knows it's going to be hard leaving us here but she's ready to be with her family and it was her time. She can't wait to hug each and every one of them. In the words of Mary Olga Sullivan, don't ever forget she's "never felt better in her life!"

She is preceded in death by her parents; mother, Ruby Grace Viola Lee Fuller Gresham and father, Charles Webster Gresham; husband, James Curtis Sullivan; son, James Kenneth Sullivan; grandson, Charles Wilber Nelson III; brothers, Charles Martin Gresham, Larry Michael Gresham, and Don Wayne Gresham Sr.; sisters, Betty Ann Gresham Gibson, Jimmy "Red" Cordelia Gresham Lyons, and Wanda Amanda Gresham Hammock.

She is survived by her favorite child and caregiver, Kinsley Michelle Boswell (Bryar Kane Cunningham) and during her last month a big thank you goes to Tracy Baker, Cindy Sullivan, and Beth Sullivan and the loving family members who never missed a day coming to see her. We will carry on her legacy and name and will not allow her to be forgotten.

She is survived by siblings, Jackie Elaine Gresham Burdon (James "Jr.") and Orie Gresham Sr.; Daughters, Kathy Grace Sullivan Ruff (Mike), Karen Olga Sullivan Nelson (Charles), and Kim Cordelia Sullivan Holmes (Wayne); sons, James Kenneth Sullivan (Sheri Sullivan), Curtis Keith Sullivan (Cindy Thrift Sullivan), and Kelly Charles Sullivan (Elizabeth Thrift Sullivan), as well as raising James D. Herren and Steven D. Herren as her own boys.

She is survived by 16 grandchildren, Troy Micheal Ruff, Tracy Michelle Ruff Baker, Tiffany Morelle Ruff Sanders, Melissa Gail Nelson De'valcort (Cliff), Brian Joseph Nelson, Cecil Chad Holmes, James Cody Holmes, Jason Kenneth Sullivan, Christopher Keith Sullivan (Tanya), Jeffery Owen Sullivan, Richard Lee Sullivan (Sarah), Shane Kyle Roberson, Wesley Aron Jimmerson (Samantha Eileen), Candice Lei Jimmerson Ware (Michael), James Perry Jimmerson (Amanda), Anniston Elizabeth Adams.

Also survived by 41 great-grandchildren, Michael Tyler Ruff, Kinsley Michelle Boswell, Alexis Brielle Boswell, Alyssa Grace Ruff, Jackson Sullivan Ruff, Sarah Delaine Ruff. Michael Blaine Ruff, Ava Anne Sanders, Charles Landen Nelson, Julianna Grace Koeing, Piper Claire De'valcourt, Drew Ryan De'valcourt, Natalie Madline De'valcourt, Camdyn Alizah Holmes, Emerson Elijah Holmes, Autumn Dawn Holmes, Brady Ryan Holmes, Gabriella Juliette Holmes, Natalie Joy Sullivan, Chesney Kay Sullivan, Addison Faith Sullivan, Chloey Isabella Sullivan, Brynley Claire Sullivan, Alexis Jean Gober, Aidric Ryan Sullivan Bass, Liem Bass, Richard Luciano Sullivan, Kaitlin Elizabeth Jimmerson, Bobby Nathaniel Jimmerson, James Jason Jimmerson, Gabriel Kelly Roberson, Preston Wesley Roberson, Rutherford Reese Roberson, Ralon Joshua Roberson, Morgan Christopher Robertson, Michael Trey and Avery Adelay Ware, Aiden Grace, Colt Maverick Sullivan, and Cash Walker Sullivan.

Also survived by 3 great-great-grandchildren, Jace-Lee Lynn Ruff, Adonis Michael Nelson, and Stetson Koe Nelson; her "adopted" grandchildren, Zachary Dean Cunningham, Caleb Seth Cunningham, Kayla D'Anne Kirk (Brandi Leigh Kirk), Serenity'Rose Fayth Kirk, and Brynleigh Rayne Grace McClure.

Online condolences may be shared at www.linvillememorial.com.

Linville Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory, Eclectic, Alabama