Sybil Sullivan Whitesell

Rock Hill - Mrs. Sybil Hamilton Sullivan Whitesell, 87, went home to be with the Lord with her family by her side on Saturday, September 1, 2012, at Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Mount Holly United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be in Philadelphia United Methodist Church Cemetery, Fort Mill.

Sybil was born in Oakboro, NC, April 18, 1925 to Fred Hamilton and Maude Thomas Hamilton. Sybil graduated Marshville NC High School in 1942. After graduation she accepted employment with Springs Industries in Fort Mill. She retired from Springs after 40 years of employment. While working for Springs she met J.C. Sullivan whom she married in 1944. They were members of Philadelphia UMC where she served in practically every area. One of her most enjoyable ministries was working with the young people whom she loving referred to as her children. Sybil later became a member of Mount Holly UMC where she was a member of United Methodist Women and of the Seniors Citizens Group. She was also an avid supporter of Oakdale Volunteer Fire Department, who loved to cook and make deserts for others. She loved her family, her church family and was very gracious to all she met.

Surviving is her sister, Gladys Thomas; a brother, Ed Hamilton; and her present husband, Ernest T. Whitesell; step-children, Kathy Starnes (Johnny), Ralph Whitesell, and Mary Turner (David); five step grandchildren, Crystal Sliva (Dan), Christopher Starnes (Lisa), Matthew Starnes (Lauren), James Ledbetter and Katherine LeBosquet (Tom); and three great-grandchildren, Tyler Starnes, Emery Sliva, and Gavin Sliva, and several nieces and nephews.

Sybil was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, J.C. Sullivan; her sisters, Cornell Large and Katherine Helms; and three brothers, Therrell Hamilton, Roy Hamilton and Jack Hamilton.

Memorials may be made to Mount Holly UMC, 1996 Mount Holly Rd., Rock Hill SC 29730 or Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House, PO Box 993, Rock Hill, SC 29731.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.whitesellfuneralhome.net