Betty Sue (Begley) Sullivan

Betty was born October 30, 1930, in East Stone Gap, Virginia, to Edgar R. and Suda A. (Burke) Begley. She was the oldest of five children. 

Seeking employment during the Depression, Edgar moved the young family to Wheelwright, Kentucky, to work for Inland Steel. 

During the Second World War, Betty spent the school year living with her Grandma Burke, in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, whose sons had all enlisted in the European and Pacific wars.

Graduating from East Stone Gap High School in 1948, she enrolled in Radford College, the Women's Division of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

In 1952 she married James B. Sullivan, and shortly began a family of two sons, Michael Shaughn (Elaine) of Wapakoneta, Ohio, and Very Reverend Jan C. Sullivan, Rector, Saint Joseph Cathedral, Columbus. Jim and Betty were married for 60 years upon Jim's death in 2012.

In 1956 the new family moved to Columbus, where Betty soon began a career with Battelle Memorial Institute. She was loyal to Battelle for almost forty years, retiring from her work for the Executive Research Council in 1994.

In retirement Jim and Betty traveled to Switzerland, Ireland, Germany, Italy and the Holy Land, always returning to the quite comfort of Carriage Lane, the home they had created together, and the company of one another.

After Jim's death, Betty moved to a condo and enjoyed the social activities and comradery of senior Living.

Betty is predeceased by her parents, her husband, her brothers, Donald and Isaiah, and her sister Mary.

She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, her beloved sister and best friend, Emma, a dear caregiver, Anne, as well as nieces, nephews and several cousins, friends and neighbors.

Family and friends may call at Egan Ryan Funeral Home, 403 East Broad Street, Columbus, 4 pm to 7 pm, Thursday, May 28, where a Vigil service will be conducted at 7 pm.  A Funeral Liturgy for Betty Sue (Begley) Sullivan, 95, will be celebrated at Saint Joseph Cathedral, Columbus, 10 am, Friday, May 29, 2026. Interment will follow at Saint Joseph Cemetery, Lockbourne.

Memorial contributions in Betty's memory may be directed to:

Saint Joseph Cathedral, 212 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 or,

Holy Family Soup Kitchen, c/o Holy Family Church, 584 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

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