Geraldine Leavitt Sullivan

Our loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Geraldine (Jeri) Leavitt Sullivan, passed away in her home, surrounded by her loving husband and family on March 6, 2022, at the age of 88. Jeri was born in Gunlock, Utah on November 9, 1933, to Samuel Vernon Leavitt and Dartha Luella Barney. She was the youngest of nine children and the last to return home to heaven. On June 8, 1951, Jeri married her sweetheart, Ned LaVar Sullivan in the St. George Temple, after just a few months of courting, and began an amazing life together, filled with family, friends, and joy. They would have celebrated their 71st anniversary this June.

Only three months after marrying, Ned was called into military service and Jeri went to work for Ned’s parents at “Sullivan’s Café†in Cedar City, Utah. This began a special relationship with her mother-in-law that she cherished and spoke about until the end of her life. When Ned returned home from Korea, he joined Jeri in Cedar City and together they managed the family Café and turned it into a successful business that served the community for years. A few years later they returned to Ned’s hometown of Leeds, Utah, and have spent most of their years there since. Jeri came from very humble beginnings but never lacked for anything after marrying Ned.  Though Jeri was known for her feisty spirit and lively banter, Ned was the love of her life and she cherished him and the love, life, and family they created together.

Jeri loved music and dancing with her sweetheart, traveling in their RV, spending time with friends, a good game of chance and playing the slot machines on Friday nights. She was a hard-working, devoted mother and housekeeper whose Thursday hair appointments were never to be missed. Her family came before everything else, and she created a home where her children and grandchildren always felt welcome and unconditionally loved. The family’s treasured memories of Jeri include Sunday dinners, homemade bread, rolls, pies, canning delicious summer fruit from their orchard in Leeds and making Christmas candy together during the holiday season. She will be greatly missed, and her family feels blessed to have had her in their lives.

Jeri is survived by her husband Ned and their 4 children: Craig Sullivan (Laurie), Keith Sullivan (Julie), Sonia Davis and Cindy Beach (Tom); 12 grandchildren: Kristy (Joe), Shandon (Lizett), Garrett (Kena), Kade, Stanton (Dana), Zachery (Holly), Tyson (Aubree), Sharelle (Jeff), Jessica (Jerem), Caitlyn (Patrick), Taylor (Kate), Lindsey, and 17 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 11, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 75 N Main Street, Leeds, Utah. A viewing will be held Thursday evening, March 10, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah and on Friday, prior to services, from 11:00 to 12:00 at the Leeds LDS Church. Interment will follow at the Leeds City Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Spilsbury Mortuary (435) 673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Geraldine’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com .