Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Mississippi
1996-1997
Homer Elton Sullivan Jr. was born on March 12, 1937, in Mount Olive to Homer Elton Sullivan Sr. and Carrie Lee Sullivan. He passed to his heavenly home on April 6, 2024. He was a member of the Mt. Olive Methodist Church.
Bro. Sullivan graduated from Mt. Olive High School in 1956 and attended Jones Junior College for two years. He earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1965. He was employed by Boeing in New Orleans, LA, before returning to Hattiesburg to begin his long career at the University of Southern Mississippi. Bro. Sullivan served as the Director of Housing and the Director of Stores and Receiving, before retiring in 1993.
As a long-time supporter of the athletic program at Southern Miss, Bro. Sullivan was the last surviving member of the four founding organizers of the Big Gold Club, which subsequently became the Eagle Club. He could always be found at football games, both home and away, as well as other athletic events. He even went to one basketball game! As the years passed, he remained active on campus, striving to help students and staff in any way possible.
Bro. Sullivan dedicated much of his life to the Masonic Order in Mississippi. He received his first degrees from the Mount Olive Masonic Lodge in 1958. He rose through the various offices over the years, leading to the honor of being elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi in 1996.
His Masonic work also included serving as Grand Officer of each of three York Rite Bodies, the Grand Governor of the York Rite College, as well as serving in various other Masonic subordinate bodies. He served many years as the York Rite Grand Lecturer/Inspector-Instructor and the Secretary of the Hattiesburg York rite Bodies.
In the Scottish Rite, he was honored to be made a 33rd Degree Mason. Bro. Sullivan was a dedicated Shriner, serving as Potentate of Hamasa Shrine in Meridian in 2002 and a faithful volunteer for the Laurel Shrine Club, supporting the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Those attending state and local Masonic meetings, festivals, and degrees would always find Bro. Sullivan in attendance, lending his expertise and knowledge of the Order to members, new and seasoned.
Bro. Sullivan was preceded in death by his parents, Homer Sr and Carrie Sullivan, his brother Thomas Lee Sullivan and sister June Carol Sullivan.
Bro. Sullivan is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Billie Warren Sullivan of Hattiesburg; his 2 daughters, Angela Sullivan Kilcrease (David Arballo) of Long Beach and Becky Lynn Sullivan (David Friedersdorff) of Flower Mound, TX; his son, Joseph Warren Sullivan (Erin) and granddaughter Carrie Sullivan of Fairhope, AL; 2 nephews, Lee Sullivan (Pamela) of Brooklyn and Richard Sullivan (Robin) of Hattiesburg; 2 great nieces, Allison McClendon (Dalton) of Brooklyn and Natalie Sullivan of Hattiesburg; and 2 great-great nieces Sadie and Kenzie McClendon; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
