Ollie Cannon Sullivan

Ollie C. Sullivan, 81, passed away after a lengthy illness on Sunday, October 20, 2024. She was born on July 22, 1943 in Boyd, Florida. She grew up in Madison, Florida and moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1967 and then to Orange Park in 1979. Ollie received an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development and Education.

 In 1979, Ms. Ollie took a chance when she purchased a small building, in the middle of nowhere, and opened Ollie’s Childcare & Preschool where she had a positive impact in the lives of a great number of Clay County’s children and families for 34 years.

 For many years, Ms. Ollie was a member of Ridgewood Baptist Church where she was able to share her love for Christ with others. In her later years, she moved her membership to Lake Asbury Baptist Church where she was actively involved in the Children’s Ministry. Every summer, Ms. Ollie would drive van-loads of children from her childcare center to Vacation Bible School, ensuring that dozens of children learned about the Lord.

Ms. Ollie was the matriarch of her family and had a dynamic, commanding presence. She enjoyed traveling in her RV, shopping for stylish clothes and home decor, cooking delicious food, hosting pool parties, and reading her Bible. Nothing was more important to her than her family, the children she looked after, her employees, and spreading the word of God.

Ollie is preceded in death by her Mom (Ethel Cooper), two brothers (Alvin Thurman and Rayburn Cannon), a special uncle (Jimmy “Flat” Bass), daughter in law (Sandy Elaine Matthews), and best friend (Ralph Lee Matthews).

She is survived by her loving and devoted children, Timothy Lee Matthews and Lisa Anne (Kenny) Sweat; three granddaughters, Madison Ellis, Savannah Matthews, and Mallory Sweat; a great many friends and “Ollie’s Kids” (the children she cared for at her childcare center).

A graveside service will be held at Holly Hill Cemetery at 1:00 pm on Thursday, October 24, 2024 with Reverend John Dorsey officiating.