Betty Anne Rovolis Sullivan, 95, stepped peacefully into eternal glory on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Savannah, Ga. surrounded by her family. Betty was born on November 2, 1930 in Savannah, the 8th of 10 children born to Tash and Ruby Rovolis. She married the love of her life, George A. Sullivan, on July 8, 1949 and together they raised five children. Betty and George had been parishioners of Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, on Wilmington Island and before that Nativity of Our Lord in Thunderbolt, since its beginning.

Betty grew up on East 48th Street, Savannah, amid her many siblings and attended Savannah High School where she met her future husband. As a teenager, she performed water ballet with her sister Helen and played basketball at school. She enjoyed growing up across the street from Daffin Park where she taught diving and served as a lifeguard.

The Sullivan home was a welcome place for all of their children’s many friends. George and Betty enjoyed their children immensely and were very involved in their activities. Betty often boasted that her children’s baby photos hung along the hallway wall were “her trophies.”

Betty was known for her love of gardening as well as flower arranging. As a member of the Glynnwood Garden Club, she won city-wide awards for her arrangements. She enjoyed the bowling league, earning many trophies; hosting neighborhood events like a Halloween carnival in the back yard; being a leader of the Brownies, Girl Scouts & Cub Scouts; and helping out with her sons’ ball teams. Betty loved the ocean and often took her children to Tybee. She would sit in a chair at the waters edge with her whistle, an eagle eye on everyone’s kids. They took their children to Florida every summer to see family and friends and to sight-see. These experiences made a profound impression on their children. She and George did everything they could to give their children a good life and a strong faith - modeling the Christian life by loving and caring for others and by making sacrifices to send them to Catholic Schools.

It was with great joy that she and George welcomed their grandchildren. First, there were two bonus grands in 1973 - Lisa and Doak Cook. Doak is the one that claimed she was “Big Mama.” Then along came Michelle and Christopher Hudson, followed quickly by Christina and Angelique Sullivan, to whom she was known as “Mema.”

George was a Marine Veteran of the Korean War. In retirement, they enjoyed going to George’s Marine Reunions in different parts of the country. George was involved in a near fatal auto accident in 1995, and Betty cared for her disabled husband with diligence and solicitude. Her strength and fortitude showed the stuff of which she was made. The love of her life died in 2002.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, eight siblings and grandsons, Doak Cook and Douglas Richardson.

She is survived by one sister, Julia (Aunt Dolly) Behnken of Dawsonville, Ga; children Diane Richardson (Ron) of Kernersville, NC; George Arthur Sullivan, Jr. (Sang) Savannah; Thomas Sulllivan (Stacy) Savannah; Cindy Fancher (Brian) Rincon, Ga.; Stephen Sullivan (Lola), Savannah.

She leaves behind cherished grandchildren Michelle Seelbinder (Jason); Christopher Hudson (Ashley), Keith Hudson (Amanda), Sarah Fancher; Marie Dean (Casey); Matthew Fancher; Christina Reilly (Sean); Angelique Joseph (Adam); Lisa Forster (David) and Rachel Gonzalez (Eddie); great-grandchildren Nolina Begley, Flynn & Ellie Reilly, Sarah & Daniel Hudson, Sully & Melody Joseph, Josh Forster (Megan), Jake Forster, Julianne Pryor (Roshawn), Jaden Suarez (Luis), Aubryn Hudson, Emilee Phoon, Colton, Owen & Rowdy Dean, and one great-great grandson Simon Suarez.

She also leaves a multitude of treasured nieces and nephews, some of whom call her “second mother.”

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Abercorn Rehabilitation Center for their care and a special thank you to her CNA Kim Maxwell, and her roommate, Miss Pearl Stallings, whom Betty cherished.

Betty was much beloved by her family and her many friends. Her laughter remains with us.

Viewing: There will be no visitation. If anyone would like to see Betty before the funeral, they may do so beginning Monday afternoon.

A graveside service will be held at the Catholic Cemetery, 1720 Wheaton Street, Savannah, on April 8 at 11 am. There will be directional signs at the cemetery.

Funeral Home: Baker McCullough Funeral Home, 7415 Hodgson Memorial Dr., Savannah

The family kindly requests that, in place of flowers, donations be made to a food bank of your choice.