Dr. Otha Richard Sullivan

Obituary For Dr. Otha Richard Sullivan

Dr. Otha Richard Sullivan Sunrise December 28, 1941 - Sunset May 12, 2020

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48b.

This is how Dr. Otha Sullivan lived his life. He was loving, sharing, and caring with passion for life and knowledge. Dr. Sullivan, or Uncle Otha as many of us lovingly referred to him, had a passion for life and knowledge and shared that passion with all that knew him. While he will be missed, we are proud to have been a part of his life and legacy.

Otha was born December 28, 1941, in Hattiesburg, MS; the last child of Benjamin Franklin (B.F.) and Iola Estella Booth Sullivan. He graduated from Rowan High School 1958 Hattiesburg, MS. and the University of Kansas, B.S., 1965. He furthered his studies at Wayne State University, M.S., 1969, Ed.D., 1973.

Otha began his career as a classroom teacher at public schools in Detroit, MI. Over the next 40 years, he went on to serve as a teacher, counselor, professor and administrator at schools and institutions in Michigan, Washington, D.C., and Mississippi. His work at Alcorn State University in Lorman, MS was especially fulfilling. Bringing his expertise and passion for learning to students in his home state was a personal career highlight. Otha was a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, Urban League, NAACP, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. In 1998, he received Booker T. Washington Educator's Achievement Award.

He was contributor to many magazines and newspapers, and authored several books, sharing his thirst for knowledge and inspiring many. Otha once said: "My primary motivation for writing is to inform…Starting out as a teacher of social science, I immediately realized that many youths do not know their history. This lack of knowledge often leads to difficulties and wasted time before the young people come to an epiphany about how they will plan and direct their lives…My work is greatly influenced by my heroes, my mother and father, who taught me that education is the key that opens doors to opportunities. … I was influenced by my teachers, who introduced me to the brilliance and achievements of black Americans who were systematically missing from the pages of history, the textbooks we used, and the audiovisual materials. Consequently, I developed a mission to write books and articles on the achievements of black Americans.”

Dr. Otha R. Sullivan’s legacy to generations of family, friends, students, and others is pride in our history and the thirst for knowledge.

Otha was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Victor Sullivan, Dewitt Sullivan, Lemon Sullivan, and Benjamin Sullivan, and his sister Donnie Sullivan Wallace. He is survived by his brother Joseph (J.B.) Sullivan, Detroit, MI, sisters-in-law Marcella Kaye Sullivan, Dorothy Jean Sullivan and Celia Grant, special friends Willie Jean Barnes and Debra McGee, a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and former students.

In keeping with his wishes, no formal service is planned. In lieu of flowers, the Family suggests donations in remembrance of Dr. Otha R. Sullivan to Alcorn State University to support student scholarships. Otha’s Facebook page will remain open if you would like to share stories of remembrance. The Family recognizes that many will want to gather to celebrate his life and encourage you to do so safely.