(From Parker Mortuary)Mary Florence Sullivan-Lambert passed at the age of 86 on March 21, 2024, at St. Luke's Nursing Home, Carthage, Missouri where she had resided for many years. She was loved and will be missed by her friends and family.
Mary was born January 20th, 1938, at Puckett, Mississippi to James Thomas Sullivan and Ivy Carlisle Sullivan. Both her parents were teachers, and she inherited their love for teaching and nurturing children. She was of Scotch-Irish descent.
Her youth was spent in Sylvarena, Mississippi with her 5 siblings: Carl “Mack” Sullivan, Henry Batson “Bat” Sullivan, James Edward “Jim” Sullivan, Charles Thomas “Charlie” Sullivan, and Winnie “Grace” Sullivan-James. She grew to love their spouses as her own sisters and brothers: Phoebe, Peggy, Georgia, Charlotte, and Frank.
Mary graduated high school in Sylvarena and went on to graduate from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. She also obtained graduate hours at Auburn University, Auburn Alabama.
Her early career was spent teaching and then around 1962 she become a full-time mother for many years. Her love and understanding of psychology was employed when she began work at Weems Community Health Center. She served as an Outreach Worker in the outlying rural community of Jasper County Mississippi.
Mary loved and admired her children: son, Scott Patrick Lambert and his wife Denise of Joplin, Missouri and daughter Melissa Carlisle Lambert-Carlson and husband Dana of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her joy was compounded by her grandchildren Garret, David, Andrew, and Kristen and her great grandchildren Cooper, Ayva, Shya, Memphis and Sloan.
Mary was a Mississippi girl through and through and never lost her thick beautiful southern accent no matter how far away she moved. Besides Sylvarena she lived in Bay Springs and Clinton Mississippi, Panama City, Florida, Auburn, Alabama, Joplin, Missouri (twice), Denver, Colorado, and Carthage, MO.
Raised as a Southern Baptist Mary lived out her faith. While in Joplin she attended First Baptist Church and First Community Church. She was faithfully prayed for by Grace Episcopal of Carthage. She always gravitated to ministering to children. This was not limited to her church life. In addition to nieces and nephews she developed friendships with many neighborhood children. She had a keen way of knowing what nurturing they needed, and she took an active role in providing what they needed in their lives. Many adults experienced this same gift whether it be family, friends, neighbors, or “friends” she made while riding the Joplin Trolley.
While living in Joplin in 2011 Mary survived the deadly EF5 tornado that destroyed her home. She was so brave both during and after this horrific event that took over 161 lives and destroyed 7,000 homes. In her distinct southern drawl she said, “As the sirens blared, I had a plan and I implemented it!” Her plan was to turn her love seat upside down and crawl under. Throughout her life she was brave and tenacious as she struggled with more than her share of ill health.
Mary graduated high school in Sylvarena and went on to graduate from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. She also obtained graduate hours at Auburn University, Auburn Alabama.
Her early career was spent teaching and then around 1962 she become a full-time mother for many years. Her love and understanding of psychology was employed when she began work at Weems Community Health Center. She served as an Outreach Worker in the outlying rural community of Jasper County Mississippi.
Mary loved and admired her children: son, Scott Patrick Lambert and his wife Denise of Joplin, Missouri and daughter Melissa Carlisle Lambert-Carlson and husband Dana of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her joy was compounded by her grandchildren Garret, David, Andrew, and Kristen and her great grandchildren Cooper, Ayva, Shya, Memphis and Sloan.
Mary was a Mississippi girl through and through and never lost her thick beautiful southern accent no matter how far away she moved. Besides Sylvarena she lived in Bay Springs and Clinton Mississippi, Panama City, Florida, Auburn, Alabama, Joplin, Missouri (twice), Denver, Colorado, and Carthage, MO.
Raised as a Southern Baptist Mary lived out her faith. While in Joplin she attended First Baptist Church and First Community Church. She was faithfully prayed for by Grace Episcopal of Carthage. She always gravitated to ministering to children. This was not limited to her church life. In addition to nieces and nephews she developed friendships with many neighborhood children. She had a keen way of knowing what nurturing they needed, and she took an active role in providing what they needed in their lives. Many adults experienced this same gift whether it be family, friends, neighbors, or “friends” she made while riding the Joplin Trolley.
While living in Joplin in 2011 Mary survived the deadly EF5 tornado that destroyed her home. She was so brave both during and after this horrific event that took over 161 lives and destroyed 7,000 homes. In her distinct southern drawl she said, “As the sirens blared, I had a plan and I implemented it!” Her plan was to turn her love seat upside down and crawl under. Throughout her life she was brave and tenacious as she struggled with more than her share of ill health.
There were so many special things about Mary. First on the list must be her penchant for telling an interesting story. She recounted in great detail people and events that shaped her life. Her family will forever cherish these stories, especially the ones she took the time to write down for them. Mary was artistic and creative. She drew and painted works of art throughout her life. She was a near professional and prolific seamstress. She was accomplished at crocheting and knitting. The items she created will be admired, used, and cherished.
A memorial service for Mary will take place at a later date in Mississippi. She will be laid to rest at the Sylvarena Bethany Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in care of Parker Mortuary, 1502 S. Joplin Avenue, Joplin, MO 64804.
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