ELLEN JANE SULLIVAN COMPTON

Ellen Jane Sullivan Compton, age 92, died peacefully on December 22, 2022 after an extended illness. Born November 17, 1930 in Dickenson County, she was the daughter of the late Morgan and Mary O’quinn Sullivan.  She married the love of her life, Morgan Compton, on August 19, 1948. Ellen was the last surviving member of her generation.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Morgan; a son at childbirth; two sisters, Dean Edwards and Lorraine Rasnake, and one brother, Calvin Sullivan.

Survivors include two sons, Larry (Judy) Compton of Bee and Ronnie (Carolyn) Compton of the Breaks; four grandchildren, Jason (Lindsay) Compton, Brett (Jessica) Compton, Jordan (Alice) Compton and Whitney Compton; seven great grandchildren, Clayton, Calista, Easton, Averie, Zoey, Myla and Jett Compton; one sister-in-law, Marie Sullivan; one aunt, Lillie Epling; along with several nieces and nephews. 

Services and visitation were conducted at Haysi Funeral Home on Monday, December 26th beginning at 5:30 p.m. with Elder Jim Duty officiating.  A graveside service was held on Tuesday at 1 p.m at Russell Memorial Cemetery in Lebanon.  Pallbearers were grandsons Jason, Brett, Jordan, Clayton, Easton and Jett Compton.  Honorary pallbearers were Jack Sullivan, Shawn Sullivan, Joe Edwards, Danny Rasnake, Richard Rasnake, and Randy Rasnake. 

Ellen was the last of her generation and true inspiration to all that knew her.  She and Morgan were known far and wide for their successful grocery store business.  She was also known far and wide for many other qualities including exceptional cooking, strong support of her family, love of athletics, and most importantly her love for Jesus Christ.  As a young lady, she joined the Sullivan Branch Pentecostal Church where her father was a founding member.  Throughout her life, she maintained a strong trust in Jesus Christ as her savior and shared her Christian beliefs with others. 

Morgan and Ellen came into the grocery business in 1949 on Indian Creek when Ellen’s father sold his grocery store to the young couple.  Ellen worked relentlessly beside of her husband six days a week.  She would leave the store about an hour before closing time to make it home to prepare supper.  Morgan passed in 1993 and Ellen continued at the store a few years following his death. Stories and memories of the generosity of Morgan and Ellen at their grocery store are still shared today. 

Ellen started attending sporting events at Haysi in the late 1950s and went to her last live game in 2022 at Ridgeview.  During that span of nearly seven decades, she was able to cheer on her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and their teams with a fervor that was hard to match.  She was also well known among the local referees as sometimes she didn’t agree with their calls! 

Ellen’s cooking ability will always be remembered. Her homemade hot dog chili was famous and requested by many.  Her recipe lives on although it will never be the same.  Sunday mornings were very special to her as she treated her entire family to a large home cooked breakfast including several meats, biscuits and gravy, eggs, apples, and sometimes chocolate gravy.  These breakfasts were attended not only by family but usually by friends of the grandchildren who would get to partake on a regular basis.  She loved to feed anybody and everybody that came to her house. 

Ellen lived a full and healthy life for nearly all of her 92 years.  Later in life, she developed some vision problems although this did not slow her down as she lived independently until the last couple months. She is now reunited with Morgan and her vision is perfect. 

Words can never express the loss the family feels although we know our loss is heaven’s gain.  We loved you, but God loved you the best.  We that remain here have our loving memories that will last for as long as we live.  So, all we can say now is sleep on dear mother for a little while and by the Grace of God we hope to meet you soon.

The family would like to thank caretakers Sandy Boyd, Vanessa Compton, Glenda Stanley, Buchanan General Hospital, Dickenson Medical Center, and all the caring staff at Heritage Hall who cared for Ellen in her last days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Heritage Hall in Clintwood or the Ridgeview Athletic program. Online condolences may be sent to www.haysifuneral.com.

Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.