Caroline Sue Brown was born on April 15, 1943 in Talladega Alabama to Roland Earnest Brown and Carrie Mae (Ford) Brown. Caroline was the 11th of 12 children. Caroline’s mother Carrie passed away when she was 3 or 4 years old, followed by the loss of her father Roland at age 11. She was then raised by her older sister Jake after a short period in an orphanage. The family moved around often, but most of her childhood was spent in Arizona. They were poor and times were hard, but Caroline always had a sunny disposition and good humor. When Caroline was 15, she met her future husband, Thurman, who was stationed in Arizona with the Navy. When Caroline was 18, she left home and traveled to Kansas City to marry Thurman. They were wed on January 11, 1962.
Caroline worked hard all her life. She worked for the shoe factory in Warrensburg, Missouri for several years doing decorative sewing. She was very proud of the fact that she made good money since she was a fast sewer. After the shoe factory moved to Sedalia, she then started working at Chilhowee School as a cook. She had several different jobs over the years, but always loved cooking at school the best. When she got the chance, she started cooking at Shawnee Mound School and remained there until she retired. She loved interacting with the children, and long after retirement would often meet some of her “school kids” who were grown adults who still remembered her and always got a hug from “Mrs. Sullins.” Caroline attended the Chilhowee Baptist Church in her younger adult life, where she sometimes taught Sunday School or Vacation Bible School. She liked to volunteer at the annual Chilhowee Fair in the school display so that she could see all the kids come through and be so proud of their ribbons and prizes. For several years, Caroline served on the Chilhowee Cemetery board.
Caroline always maintained her sunny disposition. She never met a stranger. If she did, they didn’t remain strangers for long! Caroline loved family and children. She and Thurman hosted many family holidays, dinners and get-togethers at their house on the farm. Everyone was welcome, and there was always plenty of food, games, stories and laughter. Every kid in the family will have memories of sleepovers, parties, cookie decorating, etc., at Caroline’s house.
Caroline was preceded in death by her husband Thurman; her parents Roland and Carrie; six sisters, Beatrice (Beattie), Odelia, Jessie Bell (Jake), Dorothy, Betty Katherine and Louise, four brothers: Cecil, Billy, Claud, and James.
She is survived by one sister, Jeanie, of Arizona; three children, Robert (Susan) Sullins of Leeton, Missouri, Lynn (John) DePriest of Leeton Missouri, Vance (Jenny) Sullins of Garden City, Missouri; eight grandchildren, TJ (Megan) Sullins, Casey (Danny) Ditty, Jake (Beth) Sullins, Shiane (Ryan) Schmick, Sierra Sullins, Maddie Sullins, Clint Sullins, Tori Sullins; eight great grandchildren, Mason and Mila Sullins, Leena and Lillianne Sullins, Brylea Baker, Lilyandra Schmick, Lawson and Weston Ditty; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 7, 2023 at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. The family will receive friends Friday evening, October 6, 2023 at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Chilhowee Cemetery, Chilhowee, MO. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Chilhowee Cemetery, and these donations may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.
