Dr. Sullivan Anthony Welborne, Jr. transitioned peacefully on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, September 19, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Elm Grove Baptist Church, Highway 29 Business, Reidsville, NC with family visitation one half hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Church cemetery. Public visitation will be held on Sunday, September 18, 2020 from 12 noon until 7:00 p.m. at McLaurin Memorial Chapel, 721 East Morehead Street, Reidsville, NC.
Dr. Sullivan Anthony Welborne Jr. was born September 10, 1940 in Lexington, North Carolina to the late Sullivan (Sr.) and Nora Welborne. He was the only boy, and the second of four children. He was inquisitive, smart, loving and hardworking; and these qualities endured and became the hallmark of his persona throughout his entire life’s work. He graduated from Dunbar High School and received a B.S. Degree in Biology from North Carolina A&T State University.
While working as a research technician in the Department of Physiology at Bowman Gray Medical School, Sullivan completed his B.S. Degree in Chemistry from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. He left North Carolina to teach in the public-school system in Prince George County, Maryland; and later completed his M.S. Degree in Chemistry from North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota.
In 1970, Sullivan earned a M.A. in Administration from North Carolina A&T State University and began his career as a Chemistry professor and Director of the Memorial Student Union. In 1978, he completed his Doctorate in Higher Education and Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and assumed the role of Dean of Students for Services at NC A&T. In 1984, Sullivan became Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and later became Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs in 1989.
Sullivan was active in the community and has received almost 200 awards for academics and community service over his 45 years of teaching. As a faithful member of Elm Grove Baptist Church of Reidsville, North Carolina, he served as the Chairman of the Trustee board and Sunday school teacher for over 40 years. He also enjoyed serving on the Metro YMCA and United Way Board of Directors, Greensboro Transit Authority Steering Committee, Baptist Training Union and Sunday School Convention President, as well as being the first black President in the Old North State Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In recognition for his distinguished service, in 2000 he received the prestigious “Order of the Long Leaf Pine” award presented by the Governor of North Carolina, James B. Hunt Jr. Sullivan was also a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Sullivan was so special to so many. Affectionately known as “Doc” or “Uncle Sticky”, he was a role model and hero for students and adults and was often relied upon as a resource for advice, guidance, and wise counsel. He was a man of faith and integrity, a loving father, a fearless brother, a tireless mentor, and a doting husband.
Sullivan was happily married for 57 years to Gloria Don Harrison of Reidsville, North Carolina. In addition to his wife, Gloria, he is survived by: sons, Keith (Melinda) of Greensboro, NC and Sullivan, III, (Christy) of Lawrenceville, NJ; grandchildren, Kameron, Dylan, Rayce, Kaison; sisters, Bessie Roman and Belinda Clark, both of Lexington NC; nieces; nephews; godchildren; cousins; other relatives and lifelong friends. In lieu of flowers, please see suggestion below.****
Ashton and Yolanda McLaurin and the staff of the McLaurin Funeral Home are serving the family. Covid-19 precautions will be followed with social distancing, masks and sanitizing required.
***Sullivan’s legacy has been cemented in love, and his impact on our lives will be everlasting! In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Dr. Sullivan A. Welborne, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund at the link below. Under designation, type in “Sullivan Welborne, Jr.” for the appropriate scholarship fund.
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/28065/donations/new
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