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COVINGTON - Alma Mae Childers Sullivan was a shy woman whose tiny frame abounded with love and devotion for family, friends and church. She was a crafter who created ceramic pieces as gifts and proudly displayed many in her home, said her daughter Kathy Seifert, of Crittenden.
Mrs. Sullivan died July 22 at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood after complications from a fall.
She was 95.
"She loved Christmas crafts and was a Christmas freak, if you will," her daughter said. "It was probably because of her family's situation when she was growing up."
Mrs. Sullivan was born on July 4, 1917, to Charles and Ella Francis Clayton Childers, of Latonia.
She was the youngest of five children. While she was quite young, her father suffered from a stroke, changing their life from one of prosperity to one of poverty.
Her mother's family never celebrated Christmas, her daughter said. She never received a Christmas gift until she was 6 years old. Her older brother George and his wife gave her a porcelain ceramic doll.
"I think that is why Christmas was so important to her," her daughter said.
Alma met her future husband, James "Jim" E. Sullivan, while walking home with friends from Holmes High School in Covington. He attended St. Xavier High School. The group of teens walked together every day.
The couple married in 1939 at Holy Cross Church in Latonia. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service. She became a homemaker.
She belonged to St. Henry Church in Erlanger.
For the last five years, Mrs. Sullivan lived at St. Charles Care Center Village and Lodge.
"From the first day my mother went to live in the Lodge, she loved living there. She couldn't wait for Craft Day. Everyone loved mother, and mother loved each and every one. I've never seen anything like it."
Her husband died previously.
Survivors include her sons, Michael Sullivan of Edgewood and Pat Sullivan of Park Hills; daughters, Kathy Seifert of Crittenden and Marjorie Arlinghaus of Union; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 9-10 a.m. Monday, July 30, with Mass of Christian Burial following at St. Charles Care Center. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell. Middendorf Funeral Home, Fort Wright, is handling arrangements.
Memorials: The Erlanger Lions Club, P.O. Box 18486, Erlanger, KY 41018.
Online condolences to middendorf-funeralhome.com.
11 Entries
Thanks for always encouraging me at such a young age to be passionate about art! Your laughter will always live on in your family! Love you Grandma!
Angela Sullivan
July 29, 2012
I will miss you so much Aunt Alma. Thanks for being so good to me. I love you. Maureen
July 28, 2012
I'll miss your laugh, your humor and the wonderful family memories on Hallam Ave. Love you Grandma.
Terry Seifert
July 27, 2012
I love you sweet Mommy. RIP
Kathy Seifert
July 27, 2012
I love you Mom, you raised three great children.
Pat Sullivan
July 26, 2012
I love you Grandma. It was a heck of a ride! I'll see you and Grandpa again one day.
Tracy
July 25, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Pam Tashjian
July 25, 2012
My Thoughts and prayers are with all the family esp. Tracy. Am sorry for your loss.
Denise Chickey
July 25, 2012
You can rest in peace now mom. We will love you forever.
Margie and Bill Arlinghaus
July 25, 2012
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rita Brooks
July 25, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. I will miss her. Love to you all.
Marcia Kerr
July 24, 2012
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