Resolution honors late Brookhavenite
Published 6:00 am Monday, February 25, 2008
One of Brookhaven’s most beloved mayors was remembered andhonored Friday morning by Mississippi lawmakers at the StateCapitol building.
Family and friends of late former Brookhaven mayor Doug Sullivancrowded on to the Senate and House floors as a concurrentresolution was read, first in the Senate and then in the House.
The resolution, authored by Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith ofBrookhaven and others, detailed Sullivan’s life from his graduationfrom Louisville High School in 1955 to his public service to histime in the military and his being a father and husband to hisfamily.
Sullivan succumbed to a heart attack on Wednesday, July 11,2007, on his way to work as the state office director for SenatorThad Cochran.
Cochran, as Sullivan’s former boss and friend, was on hand andspoke to the legislators to tell them what an extraordinary friend,worker and public servant Sullivan was.
“Never will you find someone more caring about the state ofMississippi,” he said. “He was the most conscientious, unselfish,hardworking staff member I’ve ever had.”
Cochran told Sullivan’s widow, Karen, and their children andgrandchildren who appeared for the event, of his gratitude forSullivan’s service.
“We have all benefited from his service,” he said. “Thankyou.”
Natchez Senator Bob Dearing spoke to the Senate of Sullivan’sdedication to Delta State University, saying that he began everyathletic event with prayer.
“He’ll always be a true friend of Delta State,” he said. “I knowhe’s greatly missed, and in my heart, he’ll always be there.”
Karen Sullivan and her family accepted the plaque, sayingSullivan had always been devoted to Mississippi politics.
“In January I could count on not seeing Doug because thelegislature was in session,” she said. “And whatever he did foryou, he did it with great enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and agreat desire to serve.”
In the presentation to the House, District 92 RepresentativeBecky Currie told the legislators of Sullivan’s continuous focus onothers. She told of the day Sullivan had his heart attack in hisvan driving down Highway 51.
“He made sure he got off the road so he injured no one else,”she said. “He always lived his life thinking of others.”
She said Sullivan was truly an example of a Christian man and acommunity leader.
“Doug was someone we all wanted to be just like,” Currie said.”He loved his God and his family, he loved Brookhaven, he lovedMississippi, and he loved his country.”
Karen Sullivan said the resolution truly demonstrates Sullivan’sdedication and leadership throughout his life.
“This is truly a testament to a well-lived life,” he said. “I’veread it over and over again all week long.”
But, she said through tears, the one thing the resolution doesnot touch on in Sullivan’s life was his dedication to hisfamily.
“What I think was the most distinguishing thing about Doug washis devotion to us, his family,” she said.