Daniel Sullivan, 91
June 30, 1934 – August 7, 2025
Okolona – He was a great soul, and “0le timey” storyteller and patrician born to pioneer families of East Chickasaw County. Daniel Ray Sullivan, Sr. was born on “Sullivan land” in the Shake Rag Community of Chickasaw Co. on June 30, 1934, the son of the late Eugene Sullivan and Viola Tacker Sullivan. He departed this life on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at his lifelong residence surrounded by his family. He was 91 years old. Raised with “old school” values, he was taught early how to work hard, set priorities including God and country and live successfully and productively.
A lifelong member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Dan remembered carrying brick to his Dad and Uncle while the Church was being built. He attended local schools and Okolona High School. He made it to the 12th grade and walked home from downtown Okolona when he was suspended from being a star football player, a testament to his hard-headedness and stalwart tenacity the whole of his life.
On Feb. 26, 1955, his life forever changed when he married Nettleton native, Jewel Nicholson, a marriage of 65 years until her death on October 7, 2020. To this union was born 4 children, Danny, Cindi, Honey and Scott. A patriotic American, Mr. Sullivan was a longtime member of the Mississippi Army National Guard. Dan was a long haul truck driver for 40 plus years. He hauled coal, light poles, cotton, other grains, furniture and a variety of other products over his long, distinguished trucking career. His handle was “Broke Back”, widely known by truckers across the nation. When most would retire, Dan was the founder and owner of his own trucking firm, D.S. and J Trucking (Dan Sullivan and Jewel), which was very successful.
After full retirement, Dan rekindled his affection for his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who lovingly knew him as “Dan-daddy”. Early in life, Dan enjoyed livestock, especially horses and was a master horse trainer in his day making him a cowboy of sorts. He loved and respected the Sullivan lands in Chickasaw Co. and was a walking text book on Chickasaw County history, a trait he passed on to his late son, Scott.
Dan and his wife, Jewel were “rabid” Mississippi State Bulldog fans although he never quit calling it State College. As his years came to a close, he loved keeping up with family and friends via cell phone. Dan lived long enough to become a “legend” in his time and will be remembered as an “old school” patriarch for his stubborn perspective on all things right and proper in this life as well as being devoted to his God, his family and his community.
A service celebrating Dan’s life will take place at Noon Saturday, August 9, 2025 in the Okolona Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Bro. Keith Gibson, of Mount Olive Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the Sullivan family plot at Boone’s Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10 AM at Holland-Okolona Chapel, which is honored to be serving their longtime friends. Condolences may be posted to Dan’s obit page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.
Leaving behind with great memories are his two daughters, Cindi Sullivan Fryfogle of Okolona and Honey Sullivan Rodgers (Wade) of Pontotoc; his grandchildren, Sadie Melton (Kit), Shaw Sullivan, Nikkie Graham (Chad), Sloan Simmons, John Daniel Rodgers, Trey Fryfogle (Jennifer), Matt Fryfogle (Brittany), Cory Fryfogle and Aaron Nichols (Tara), several great grand’s whom he doted over including his first , Scooter and his sister, Mattie Sue Sullivan Brooks. Well acquainted with grief, Dan was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Jewel in 2020, his sons, Scott Sullivan on 10/26/2017 and Danny Sullivan, Jr. on 4/3/ 2018 and a beloved grandson, Bo Fryfogle on 12/23/2016,
Memorials may be made to Boone’s Chapel Cemetery Fund, 341 CR 411, Okolona, Ms. 38860.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
~
