Elizabeth King Sullivan

Elizabeth King Sullivan was born to the late Mr. Dock King and Mrs. Sallie Bell King, on May 4, 1926, in the Angelus Community of Chesterfield County, South Carolina. She transitioned to eternal rest on December 11, 2025, and was preceded in death by her husband, Esaw Sullivan. Elizabeth was educated in the public schools of Chesterfield County and, as a child and young adult, was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church in McBee, SC. Since then and for many years she has been a member of Fifth Baptist Church in Richmond, VA. She was also a member of the Fannie Lewis Chapter No. 4, Order of the Eastern Star of Virginia, having transferred her membership from the Bethune, SC, chapter. Elizabeth and her husband relocated to Richmond, VA, more than 60 years ago. Her home was open and welcoming to all and served as a gathering place for her children’s friends for many years. She loved to cook and served up many delicious meals. Her holiday “spreads” were particularly impressive, and she entertained family and friends who traveled from near and far. Elizabeth’s life was long and well-lived. She was a force of nature, and her 99 years of faith, love, and inspiration will be with us forever. A force of nature does not die; she lives on in her children and family, her friends, and even those who may have known her from afar. Elizabeth joined Fifth Baptist Church in 1979 and was a proud and faithful member since then. She loved her church home and church family. And even after she was no longer able to attend regularly, her Sunday mornings were incomplete unless she connected virtually to the morning service. At the time of her retirement, Elizabeth had worked as a waitress at the then-Skull and Bones Restaurant at 12th and Marshall Streets in Richmond for over 35 years, where she was a well-known fixture serving the Medical College of Virginia community. She was known variably as “Elizabeth” or “Liz,” or “Miss Elizabeth” or “Miss Liz” to customers and co-workers. She was once quoted that she loved to “meet people and fall in love with them … and be part of their memories.” In addition to her parents and husband, Elizabeth was preceded in death by three sisters: Naomi King Jowers, Geneva King, and Edell King Jowers; two brothers: J. D. King and Coyte Lee King, Sr.; four sisters-in-law: Aileen King (wife of Coyte), Helen Sullivan Ravenel, Katherine Sullivan, and Betty Sullivan; and six brothers-in-law: Maro Jowers (husband of Naomi), Kemp Jowers (husband of Edell), Herbert Ravenel (husband of Helen), Jacob Sullivan, Sr., Herman Wayne Sullivan, and Francis Sullivan, Sr. (husband of Betty). Those left to cherish Elizabeth’s memory include four children: Donnie R. Sullivan (Karen) of Richmond, VA, E. Kenneth Sullivan of Dallas, TX, and Debra E. Sullivan and Angela L. Sullivan, both of Richmond, VA; one devoted sister: Beulah King James (Henry Sr.) of Philadelphia, PA; four grandchildren: Enjoli M. Freeman, Isiah K. Davis, and Devonte J. Winstead, all of Richmond, VA, and Adrianna D. Sullivan, of Norfolk, VA; one great-grandson: Kayden J. Winstead of Richmond, VA; one sister-in-law: Catherine Sullivan (wife of Jacob Sr.) of Philadelphia, PA; and a host of nieces (of note: Vera Drakeford, Mary Bristow, Ruby Lane, Clarine Pettis, and Joan Bell), nephews, and other close relatives and friends. “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’” Proverbs 31:25-29 “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Tributes

Elizabeth King Sullivan

May 4, 1926 - December 17, 2025