Perry "Cabbage Head" Clemons Sullivan

Perry “Cabbage Head” Clemons Sullivan, 83, of Pikeville, TN went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 28, 2023.  Perry was raised in the Christian faith on a farm in Bledsoe County, by his loving parents, Oscar and Wilma Sullivan.  He had three sisters: Toni Allison, Joan Sullivan (deceased) and Karen Schonschack.

He is survived by his faithful wife and companion of 63 years; Martha Sullivan.  They had four children; Craig (Angie) Sullivan, Carleen Messimer, Jennifer (Sam) Katz and Christopher Sullivan (deceased).  Six grandchildren; Megan (Josh) Miller, Taylor (Jesse) Wilkey, Keely Lockhart, Hunter (Robert) Smith, Nathan Sullivan and Chloe Messimer, nine great grandchildren; Gavin, Saydee, and Ryker Miller, Jax, Jase and Jacob Wilkey, Emmalane Lockhart, Sephora Sullivan and Rowen Smith.

Dad had a love for the great outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter.  He had a green thumb and continued on in the family tradition of farming the land and raising your family on the farm.  It was a team effort, so we all were involved.

Dad never met a stranger and enjoyed meeting new people.  That love for people, led him to being a county commissioner for many years.  One of his greatest accomplishments during that time was having the nursing home opened in our small, rural town.  He eventually partnered up and stopped farming and took a leap of faith on a new business venture that led to the establishment of Advanced Automatic Machining in Pikeville.  They successfully ran the screw machine shop for almost 20 years, serving the auto and furniture industry as well as many others.  He retired in 2005, coming home to the farm where he continued to cattle farm and gardening in the summer, providing us all with an abundance of vegetables through the years.

On a beautiful summer’s day, you might find him mowing or fishing at the pond with one of the grand or great grandkids or taking his dog Jackie on a ride around the neighborhood visiting his friends and loved ones.  He often spoke of his faith and how he would ride on his side by side talking with the Lord.  He was a beloved husband, father, papaw, and friend and will be missed by many. 

There will be no funeral services at this time.  A celebration of life ceremony will be announced at a later date.

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