Eva Bernadine Shirley Sullivan, 94, a lifelong resident of Green County, KY passed away on May 7th, 2020 at Taylor Regional Hospital in Campbellsville, KY. Bernadine was born October 22, 1925 in the Mell Community of Green County to parents Benjamin Wallace and Lonia Parsons Shirley.
One of 44 members of the Greensburg High School Class of 1944, Bernadine began her career as a teacher in a 1-room school in Hardin County at the age of 18. She was a graduate of Lindsey Wilson College and earned her Master’s degree at Western Kentucky University. Mrs. Sullivan continued to teach in one room schools in Green County until coming to Greensburg to teach primarily 8th grade and 6th grade with beloved colleagues & friends. She often referenced that she had only two regrets in life and one of them was teaching Junior English. She retired in 1988 after teaching students for 44 years.
In addition to teaching, she was a devoted wife and helpmate to Dennis Udell Sullivan, uniting in marriage on December 20, 1947. Their time together was cut short by his death on October 17, 1992. As a homemaker, she was known to be an excellent cook, baker, candy-maker, seamstress, gardener and a great shot with a rifle. She also took great pride in her quilting and needlework and was a member of the Highlands Homemakers Club. She volunteered for many years with the American Red Cross and was a devoted member of the Greensburg Rook Club.
Mrs. Bernadine had made a profession of faith in Christ and worshiped as a member of the Greensburg United Methodist Church. She had missed her church family while unable to attend services in the last year.
A teacher ‘til the end, Mrs. Sullivan had a lesson plan for her funeral which has been pre-empted by the present pandemic. Therefore, Bernadine leaves behind a final English assignment for all: take a moment to read a treasured poem “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred Lord Tennyson. She would also love for you to see her favorite quilt, an award-winning black background, multicolor Cathedral window which can be viewed on her memorial page at CowherdandParrott.com.
In addition to her parents and infant brother John Wallace, she was preceded in death by a stillborn grandson, Samuel Joseph Anderson, on March 7, 2006; a sister, Frances Harris and a nephew, Ronnie Harris.
SURVIVORS:
1 daughter & son-in-law: District Judge Amy Sullivan Anderson & husband Kirk, Campbellsville, KY
1 grandson: Ethan Wallace Anderson, Campbellsville, KY
1 sister: Cozetta Harris, Orlando, FL
1 brother: James Arnold Shirley (Lillian), Umatilla, FL
A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends
While funeral services are private by order of the Governor, the family invites you to share your memories by sending a card to P.O. Box 1183, Campbellsville, KY 42719 or by emailing a note or video message to rememberingbernadine@gmail.com.
Burial will be in the Greasy Creek Cemetery in the Exie Community of Green County.
Expressions of sympathy are requested in the form of donations to Gideon Bibles or the Green County Ministerial Association which can be made through Cowherd & Parrott Funeral Home who is in charge of arrangements.
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