of Searcy, AR
March 1, 1929 - March 8, 2008
Sybil Simmons Sullards was born March 1, 1929 in Tupelo, Arkansas. She was the daughter of James Felix Simmons and Sallie Johnson Simmons. Her early years were spent in Jackson County where she attended schools in Tupelo and Newport.
At Newport High School she was an outstanding basketball player where four of the starters were Simmons cousins. After High School she entered Arkansas State Teachers College in the fall of 1947. At ASTC she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, the Debate Club, and the Student Honor Society. Sybil met Fletcher Sullards during her freshman year at ASTC and they were married on June 4, 1949 at the Tupelo Arkansas Methodist Church.
Sybil began her long and storied teaching career in 1949 at Mountain Home at Brooklyn Elementary grades one, two and three. This began a teaching career that spanned over four decades during which she taught all subjects and ages.
In 1950, she taught at the Tupelo Elementary School in the Newport School District. She taught third grade and moved with that class through the sixth grade. In 1954, she taught at Jefferson Davis Junior High School in North Little Rock where she taught six physical education classes a day.
Then in 1955, she became the high school librarian at Gilette. She also taught physical education, speech, American History, started a girls' basketball program, was sponsor of the Sr. Class, yearbook and plays. It was at this time that Mrs. Sullards began working on her degree in guidance. She received a BSE Degree from ASTC with a major in Physical Education, and minors in Speech, English, Biology, and Library Science. She received her Masters Degree from the University of Arkansas in Vocational Education. In 1958, Sybil was one of 30 chosen to attend the first National Defense of Educational Guidance Institute.
In 1960, she became the guidance counselor for DeWitt High School, grades seven through twelve. She also sponsored the senior class, cheerleaders, pep club, and the yearbook. She began work on her Masters Degree in Counseling and became one of the first high school counselors in Arkansas.
She completed her Masters in 1962, and in the summer of 1963 she attended the SW Regional Guidance Institute at North Texas State University, one of only two chosen from Arkansas to attend.
In the fall of 1963 the Sullards moved to Corning. Sybil was a counselor for grades seven through twelve for four years. In addition, she sponsored Future Teachers of America, the yearbook, cheerleaders, and the pep club.
The move to White County came in 1969 when Mrs. Sullards became the librarian at Judsonia High School as well as teaching classes in Junior and Senior English. In 1970, Sybil came to Searcy High School as Guidance Counselor and remained in this position until her retirement in 1988. She initiated the testing program for grades one through twelve at Searcy Public Schools. In addition, she began Career Day in 1971.
Mrs. Sullards was involved with Girls State, and the Junior Auxiliary. She was always active in community activities. She was a member of the Arkansas Education Association, the National Education Association, Retired Teachers, state and national American Association of Counsel and Guidance, and Delta Kappa Gamma Teaching Sorority where she served as President of the White County Chapter, as well as state communication chairman. She worked in the gift shop at Central Arkansas Hospital as a member of the Auxiliary. Sybil was a life long Methodist and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Searcy. In 1977, she was appointed to the Board of Private Schools by then Governor David Pryor. After her retirement, she became a Blue and Gold Recruiter for the Naval Academy. She was a member of the UCA Alumni Association, UCA Purple Circle, and in 2003 Sybil became a member of the UCA Half Century Club.
Mrs. Sullards is survived by her daughter, Karen L. Sullards of Little Rock, her sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Ransom Hayden of Searcy and Drasco, special friend, Chrystal Hardin of Searcy, her "found" daughters, Julita Archambault of Searcy, Peggy Nabors of Little Rock, Katie Dow of Little Rock, Carol Clark of Conway, and Linda Moffit of Searcy, her much loved nieces and nephews, Ben Simmons of Murfreesboro, TN, Patti Bone Norman of Springdale, AR , Sharon Simmons Philllips of Fulton , MS. Deb Hayden Gorgens of Plantation, FL, Rochelle Simmons Wallace of Tupelo, Ms. Dana Bone Teichart of Geneva, IL, longtime caregiver, Helen Holloway of Searcy, and a host of family and friends.
The family has requested that memorials be made to the Sullards Education Fund, c/o University of Central Arkansas Foundation, P.O. Box 4986, Conway, AR 72035, or the Searcy Public Library, 113 East Pleasure Avenue, Searcy, AR 72143.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Searcy with interment following at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 11, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Roller-Daniel Funeral Home in Searcy.
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25 Condolence(s)
Dianne Mitchener
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Karen, Just found out about your mother. My heart is so full. I can not imagine how you are feeling. I so wish I could give you a big hug. I think about you so often, and cherish the few years we got to work together. Please know you are in my prayers. Much Love, Dianne
Dana Brown
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Karen, You know how I felt about your parents. They certainly influenced my life and continued to be a part of it until their deaths. But they will always live on as long as you are alive, you are such a combination of both of them. I loved them dearly and will miss not being able to call "when I needed a good talking to" from your mother.f My love to you. Both services were beautiful and such a celebration of their lives. You did your best just as they had taught you to do. Love, Dana
Mike Hays
Friday, March 14, 2008
Dear karen your parents were wonderful people I remember them well and you the same you are in my prayer.
Mike Hays
Friday, March 14, 2008
Dear karen your parents were wonderful people I remember them well and you the same you are in my prayer.
Vivian (Cooper) Roberts
Friday, March 14, 2008
Dear Family of Mr. and Mrs Sullards, Although I was only one of the many who came in contact with Mr. and Mrs. Sullards over the course of their lives, I believe them to have had a genuine love and concern for people. I will always appreciate Mrs. Sullards for instilling the belief in me that I could attend college when I thought it was impossible. May you realize the blessing of their lives, and how their lives blessed others. With deepest sympathy.
Judy Koon Willcoxon
Friday, March 14, 2008
Karen - I am so sorry to read of your Mother's death. What a difficult year your have had. I hope it gives you peace to know that your Mom and Dad are together again. Just wanted you to know I am thinking of you.
Terry Morgan Johnson
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Karen, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know what a hard time this is for you. I have lots of wonderful memories of your parents and you when you lived in Corning. May God be with you and bless and comfort you. Love, Terry
Richard Loyd
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Karen, I can only think "What A Gal" One special lady and her husband were directly responsible for any success I had as a teacher in Corning. Not knowing how to proceed with a band program, I turned to them for help. They came up with a list of students who had previously been in band and called every one of them and we talked them into rejoining the band program. You know that Sybil and Fletcher were better recruiters than me,don't you. Those years in our life were pivotal and will always be treasured. When a teacher has students that are smarter than he is, it keeps you humble and you were such a student. We have followed your career with pride and it is evident that good parenting had a great influence on you. Thank God for people like Sybil and her family who have helped numerous people during their mission on earth. Our love and prayers go with you as your life changes. Richard and Lois Loyd ...
Toney Abbott
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
My deepest sympathy goes out to you. It is always difficult to loose a parent, but to loose both so close to gether must be very difficult. May you take comfort in knowing your many friends are thinking of you at this time.
Catherine Simmons
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Dearest Karen, I will miss Aunt Sybil and Uncle Fletcher. The first time I met them was when Ben and I were dating, I enjoyed listen to Aunt Sybil share her life stories of the SImmons clan and Uncle Fletcher showing me all the family photos. I was made to feel like family before I was family. Such a beautiful legacy left by them. You are in my thought and prayers.
Brenda
Monday, March 10, 2008
Karen, What wonderful parents God gave to you and to me! May we count our blessings and memories together someday in the near future. Until then...God be with you and your family and know I hold you dear to my heart and in my prayers. Love, Brenda Groce Yarbrough
Brenda
Monday, March 10, 2008
Karen, What wonderful parents God gave to you and to me! May we count our blessings and memories together someday in the near future. Until then...God be with you and your family and know I hold you dear to my heart and in my prayers. Love, Brenda Groce Yarbrough
Jeannie Leder
Monday, March 10, 2008
Karen and Family, I was so sorry to read about your mother in the paper today. My prayers are with you. Sincerely, Jeannie Leder
Judy Furnish
Monday, March 10, 2008
I am so sorry to read of your parents passing, Karen. Both of your parents made many contributions to education and to their community. Please know that people are thinking of you. Judy
Bill & Helen Wallace
Monday, March 10, 2008
We have so many fond memories of your parents and their visits with the Pfaffenbergers. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dennis Bauer
Monday, March 10, 2008
Karen, our prayers & thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow. Both your mother & dad had a great influence on the community of Gillett. There is one picture I'll never forget, that dad took, it was of Coach setting on the Gillett team bench crying after a loss to Holly Grove & your mother behind him rubbing his back. They were very caring teachers, coaches, & leaders in everything they did. Dennis Bauer PS: Did Ms Peterson keep your jump rope?
Genna Shelton Gallegly
Monday, March 10, 2008
Please know that you are in my thoughts. My memory of your parents brings such joy, but yet I wonder at how they managed to keep sane during "our" high school years.
Phyllis Bauer Wittrock
Monday, March 10, 2008
Karen, My brother, Dennis, (Bryant AR) who was in your class in Gillett, e-mailed me about Mrs. Sullards death. I read on the funeral home web site that Coach Sullards passed away in Jan. & I am truly sorry for your losses. Both were very influential in my life in sports & academics. I played basketball for Mrs. Sullards when girls couldn't pass the mid point line & when I complained, she took me aside & said "stay with it & someday you will." I was one of the first roving forwards at Valparaiso Univ. where I majored in Physical Education & became a teacher. Both Sullards are a testament to never ending hard work and a dedication to the lives of students. God Bless.
Dana Glover
Monday, March 10, 2008
Karen: I am sorry for your loss. Aunt Sybil was a doll, she never forgot onyone or anything. I remember all the times we would come to Searcy for the ballgames, and all the times she and your father came to Lonoke. I was blessed when they both came to my son's baptism, I felt the Simmons family was represented and that my Mom was their in their spirit. I feel your sorrow, but I know that the Simmons clan is all together again and that they are having such a wonderful time together. All of my blessing to you. May God be with you.
FLORA (RAGAN) SISEMORE
Monday, March 10, 2008
KAREN, YOUR MOM AND DAD WERE WITH THE DEWITT SCHOOL SYSTEM WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL. I WORKED IN MR. ROBERTS' (the principal) OFFICE AND KNEW THEM QUITE WELL. WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO KNOW I LOVED MR. & MRS SULLARDS. THEY WERE ALWAYS SUCH DEVOTED AND CARING TEACHERS. SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND WILL KEEP YOU IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
Sue Harris
Monday, March 10, 2008
Karen, you are in my thoughts and prayers. God will walk with you through this darkness, and where He is there is light. I love you.
Susan Biggs
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Karen, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know how hard this has been for you. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call on me. Love ya, Susan Biggs
Dana Bone Teichart
Sunday, March 9, 2008
To my Cuz Karen and Aunt Jane: We've lost another wonderful person from our family, but have many good memories to keep alive for a long time. Aunt Sybil would chastise us for crying, but would welcome us with open arms to help soothe the pain. She is now at peace and I'm thankful for that. You are in my thought and prayers.
JIMMY MINSHEW
Sunday, March 9, 2008
From a former Gillett Wolf...............
mark roberts
Sunday, March 9, 2008
KAREN, I REMEMBER MS. SYBIL AS A KIND, CARING PERSON WHO HAD A GREAT INFLUENCE ON A LOT OF PEOPLE. SHE AND COACH SULLARDS WERE SUCH A GREAT ASSET TO THE GILLETT COMMUNITY. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. RESPECTFULLY, MARK ROBERTS TEXARKANA