Mrs. Jeanette S. Sullivan

Jeanette Smitherman Sullivan, age 93, of Alpharetta, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 21, 2022. She loved others well, was deeply loved by family and friends, and will be profoundly missed. Jeanette, or "Jennie" as known to many, was the only daughter of four children born to Grady and Jessie (Langston) Smitherman in Bessemer, AL on October 12, 1928. Jeanette attended The University of Alabama and was a member of Chi Omega sorority. She married her high school sweetheart, Phillip, on November 25, 1949, in Bermuda where he served as a Naval aviator. After Phillip graduated from Georgia Tech with advanced degrees and was hired by Lockheed Corporation, they moved multiple times over the years as his career advanced. Her passions were her family, music and singing, building friendships with food and fun, and supporting Phillip in his career. With each move, Jeanette lovingly created a home for them and their three children. She was an active volunteer with local charities, the Presbyterian churches they joined in each location, and contributed her beautiful soprano voice to several choral groups along with her husband who was an Irish tenor. Together, they made lifelong friendships with each move from Bermuda, Norfolk, VA, Corpus Christi, TX, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Ottawa, Canada, Washington, D.C., Chapel Hill, NC, and finally, Alpharetta, GA. Jeanette was married for 65 years to the love of her life Capt. Phillip James Sullivan, USNR, ret., until his death in 2015. She is survived by her two sons, Timothy Phillip Sullivan (Cindy) and Ramsay Paul Sullivan; five grandchildren, Claire Sullivan Villani (Stefan), Emily Marie Sullivan, Amy Elizabeth Sullivan, Amy Kaldor Bremner (Luke), and Bruce Kaldor, Jr.; and five great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include her sister-in-law, Nancy Sullivan Ahrens (Bill), and many extended family members and special friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Cynthia Sullivan Kaldor (Bruce); her parents, Grady and Jessie Smitherman; two older brothers, Col. Julian Edward Smitherman, USAF, ret., and Erskine (Buck) Ramsey Smitherman; and one younger brother, Clifford Milton Smitherman. The internment will be at the Georgia National Cemetery with her husband, Phillip. A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring, her favorite season.

Mrs. Jeanette S. Sullivan

October 12, 1928 - December 21, 2022