Joyce Ann Sullivan

Joyce Ann Sullivan, 80, of Anna, died peacefully at her home on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.

Joyce was born the daughter of Henry (Frog) and Nora (Davis) Bryan in Mascoutah, Ill.

Joyce married William Joseph (Joe) Sullivan on July 12, 1958, at Joe’s home in Jonesboro, Ill.

Joyce was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to so many who loved her. 

She opened her home and table to multitudes of people over the years. Her dinner table rarely consisted of just her immediate family. Joyce and Joe’s house was always full of family and friends. 

Joyce was a farmer’s wife in every sense of the word. She kept her house spotless, fed and clothed her four children (often making their clothes). 

She carried full meals to Joe in the field while he farmed from dawn to after midnight. 

She mowed the lawn, fed the animals, milked the cow and maintained a garden that fed her family all winter. She was Joe’s right hand. He was her heart. 

Joyce briefly worked outside the home while she fulfilled her farm work as well. She worked at Florsheim Shoe Factory, Fashion Land and she and Joe worked several years together at Randy Myers Farm Service and Thompson Chemical serving the needs of our Union County farmers. Joyce also worked at the original Pizza Villa. 

She and Joe were a team. They raised their children and taught them the value of hard work. They made sure they took their children to church and taught them the importance of loving our Lord and Savior.  

Joyce had six siblings. Out of these six siblings, four of them and their spouses lived with Joe and Joyce for periods of time. Both of Joe’s sisters and nephew also lived with them at times. Their hearts were big and their house was full. No one was ever turned away. With what some might think was little, they gave much. 

Joyce and her beloved Joe passed in less than two weeks of each other. Joyce and Joe loved dancing together. They are once again a team and are most probably gliding across a giant dance floor together again. 

Joyce is survived by her children Billie (Terry) Henderson of Cobden, Linda Cain of Jonesboro, John (Cathy) Sullivan of Anna and Russell “Gene” (Lisa) Sullivan of Jonesboro; grandchildren T.J. (Tanette) Henderson of Jonesboro, Amy (Jason) Penrod of Anna, William (Cheyna) Sullivan of Midland, Texas, Ashley Sullivan Bell of Anna, Derrek (Charley) Kerley of Anna, Lauren (Codie) Greer of Boaz, Ian Easton, Arianna and Emelia Sullivan of Anna, Rusty (Racheal) Sullivan and Jake (Kati) Sullivan of Jonesboro; great-grandchildren Rage and Titan Henderson, Hannah (Jordan Dillow) Hileman, Mayci (Levi Moutria) Penrod, Ellie Penrod of Anna, Andrew Penrod and Madison Penrod of Metropolis, Hunter, John, Alex, Mia, Joey, Noah, Bryce and Trystan Sullivan of Anna, Daxtyn Kerley of Anna, Daisy, Wyatt, Hallie and Reed Sullivan of Jonesboro. Sisters Betty Mueller of Millstadt, Henrietta Youngblood of Mattoon, Sue (Kent) Egner of Peoria. Sisters-in-law Helen (Dennis) Williams of Auburndale, Fla., and Nancy (Larry) Hileman of Anna. Many other relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Joe Sullivan; her parents; sisters Myrtle Schulter and Charlotte Toler; a brother, Lawrence “Butch” Bryan; and brothers-in-law Clyde Schulter, Max Youngblood and Melvin Mueller. 

Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with Jason Forby officiating. Interment was in Jonesboro Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Lockard Chapel Church. 

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.