It is with regret we announce the passing of Mr. Thomas Matthew Sullenger, age 45 of Fayetteville, TN. Mr. Sullenger was born on September 12, 1974, in Tullahoma, TN to Thomas and Debra Sullenger. Matthew passed away on May 26, 2020 at Lincoln Medical Center.
Matthew was a funeral director at Higgins Funeral Home. He was of the Baptist faith. He loved his boys, his family, and his baseball boys very much. He enjoyed coaching baseball, spending time with family and friends, bass fishing, as well as, making everyone smile. Matthew graduated from Moore County High School. After graduation, he attended Faulkner University, Slidell Baptist Seminary, and graduated from John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science.
In addition to his parents, survivors include his children, Gavin and Breyer Sullenger, of Huntsville, AL and Joey Hobbs of Fayetteville; brother, Mark Sullenger of Tullahoma; nephew, Miles Sullenger of Winchester; and niece, Courtney Sullenger of Winchester; along with several aunts and uncles.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2PM on Friday, May 29 at Lynchburg Cemetery with Michael Reeves officiating.
In accordance with State of Tennessee Executive Order No. 38 by Governor Bill Lee, social gatherings are limited to no more than 50 participants. For your safety we recommend face coverings, 6 feet social distancing, practicing good hygiene, and remaining home if you feel sick. The family invites you to share memories at higginsfh.com.
37 Comments To "Thomas Matthew Sullenger"
#1 Comment By Holly Burton Smith On May 27, 2020 @ 3:38 pm
There are no words to express how truly sorry I am to hear of Matthews passing. He was one of a kind and loved by many. He will certainly be missed by everyone.
#2 Comment By Jannet Griswold On May 27, 2020 @ 3:50 pm
He was such a nice person he helped .e out so much when I lost my husband may the 8th he surly will be missed and was a happy person.
#3 Comment By Rae Steelman On May 27, 2020 @ 4:26 pm
Matthew was one of my wood vendors and a great and funny man. He would always give me a hard time, jokingly. The last time I spoke with him he was smiling and saying he loved what he was doing and was doing great. He will be truly missed. Prayers for Tommy, Debbie and Mark and for his sons and others touched by him.
#4 Comment By Rex walker On May 27, 2020 @ 4:32 pm
May God comfort you all at this time of loss.
#5 Comment By Jeff Gattis On May 27, 2020 @ 4:40 pm
Matthew was a good friend. He was a hard worker and always made you laugh. My heart felt sympathetic goes out to Tommy, Debbie , Mark and the rest of the family.
#6 Comment By Debra Metcalf On May 27, 2020 @ 5:41 pm
So sorry to hear this…my deepest sympathy to Tommy & Debbie…may God comfort you at this very sorrowful time !!
#7 Comment By Cheryl Spelce On May 28, 2020 @ 12:11 pm
I had the pleasure of working with Matthew in Endoscopy at Huntsville Hospital. He was wonderful to work with. Matthew was a devoted husband and father and he spoke often about his family and his love for them. I am so sorry for the families loss. Matthew will be missed by many!
#8 Comment By Jesse Shumake (Junior) On May 27, 2020 @ 5:43 pm
My heart aches. What a wonderful person Matthew was. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Fly high until we meet again. I love you my brother
#9 Comment By Tiffany Curry On May 27, 2020 @ 6:12 pm
I will always remember his tender heart and warm smile.
#10 Comment By Kenneth & Diannah Golden On May 27, 2020 @ 6:27 pm
We are sorry for this loss. Matt helped us so much with the loss of Kenneth’s sister, Sarah. He was so compassionate. Please Lord wrap him up in your arms & give his family peace
#11 Comment By Daniel trail On May 27, 2020 @ 6:58 pm
He was such good friend we had a lot of good times he will be missed
#12 Comment By Lori Gregory On May 27, 2020 @ 7:50 pm
My deepest sympathies to the family. I went to mortuary school with Matt and he was always a joy to be around we had a special friendship. He will be greatly missed.
#13 Comment By Mandy,Jeremy,Zoey & Marley On May 27, 2020 @ 9:07 pm
You are in our heart & memories. We will miss you!! I can’t wait to see you again!! We love you!!
#14 Comment By farley newton On May 27, 2020 @ 9:39 pm
I’m really gonna miss him! My heart is so sad, he was wonderful man who loved his family, and loved life!
#15 Comment By Gary and sharan Loux On May 27, 2020 @ 10:01 pm
We are so sorry to hear this and our prayers are with the family at this time . Gary and sharan Loux
#16 Comment By Melinda Dodson On May 28, 2020 @ 8:04 am
Matthew was truly one of a kind. He helped me remain calm during storms (literally storms). He made me smile when I would be sad or crying. He done anything and everything he could to brighten my day. He loved the boys so much! That’s all he talked about. The boys, music and tacos. Lol. He will forever remain in my heart. He has left this life leaving an imprint on everyone’s hearts he has touched. Love you always Matthew. Until we meet again.
My heart are prayers for the boys, his parents and Mark and everyone else he has blessed his life with.
#17 Comment By Barbara Faulkneer On May 28, 2020 @ 8:33 am
I’ve yet to meet anyone as kind and a gentle spirit as Matthew. Having lost a son myself, I share your grief as parents. God bless and comfort your hearts. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
#18 Comment By Minnie L. Henderson On May 28, 2020 @ 8:47 am
Extending sincere sympathy to the family during this difficult time ,May God Bless you and give you the comfort and peace you need to carry on in the coming days.
#19 Comment By Tom & Debbie Logan On May 28, 2020 @ 8:51 am
May God bless and comfort all of you during this most difficult time.
Grace and peace,
Tom and Debbie Logan
#20 Comment By Charlotte Williams On May 28, 2020 @ 9:32 am
My sympathies to Matthew’s family. I first met Matthew when he was going to Gupton Mortuary College and attended our Batesville Plant Tour in Manchester, TN. He was a first class funeral director and all around good person. So sad that he has left us.
#21 Comment By Tommy Beavers On May 28, 2020 @ 10:01 am
Matthew was always smiling and laughing, which was contagious to all around him. Enjoyed him as a student and friend. He did such a fine job working with families and had conducted my aunt’s funeral recently. I enjoyed our talk at Lincoln Cemetery. Prayers going out to the family and children.
#22 Comment By Martha Fanning On May 28, 2020 @ 10:40 am
Tommy and Debbie. I am so sorry for the loss of Matthew. My heart breaks for you. You have my sympathy.
#23 Comment By Brandi Ray On May 28, 2020 @ 11:21 am
He always kept us laughing at Gupton. Praying for his family.
#24 Comment By Samantha Grubbs Drake On May 28, 2020 @ 11:36 am
So sorry to hear of Matthew’s passing. I hadn’t seen him in a while, but thought of him often. Mark and Matthew were really like brothers to me for a long time. My deepest sympathies for Mark, Debbie, and Tommy. I have always loved you guys.
#25 Comment By Annette dehn On May 28, 2020 @ 12:57 pm
I’ve known mathew since he was young boy, he sure loved everyone, loved his mama so much, such a gentle spirit, hadn’t seen Mathew in awhile until few months ago, asked him about his family told him tell everyone hello, this saddens my heart, prayers for debbie, tommy, and mark and entire family’d
#26 Comment By Patty Clouse On May 28, 2020 @ 5:46 pm
I had the privilege of going to Mortuary school with Matthew. He was always very kind, respectful and encouraging to me. My heartfelt prayers go out to his family, friends and coworkers.
#27 Comment By Bob Burt Jr. On May 28, 2020 @ 6:10 pm
I met Matthew when we worked at Tullahoma Funeral home. He had just passed the boards to become licensed. He was a great funeral director as well as an embalmer. I will miss him. Prayers for the family.
#28 Comment By Bill Murry an Carol Murry On May 28, 2020 @ 6:26 pm
Sorry ,too all the families of Matthew especially Debbie ,Tommy ,Mark an his children ,soo sorry ,praying ,love all u guys
#29 Comment By Julianne Locker On May 28, 2020 @ 7:42 pm
Matthew was such special guy, I became friends with him through work. He was a big hearted guy always thinking of others. Even to those who treated him poorly. He was just that kind of guy.
We always kept in touch even after moving on in life. He will always be remembered as a gentle kind soul to me and many others. You will be greatly missed my friend.
#30 Comment By Pam Freeman On May 28, 2020 @ 8:01 pm
IM so sorry for your loss mathew was loved by everyone.I had the pleasure of working with him at huntsville hospital.
#31 Comment By jamie bean On May 28, 2020 @ 8:52 pm
Matthew was a good friend great personality with every one will be praying for the family
#32 Comment By Mary Partin On May 29, 2020 @ 2:29 am
Tommy, Debbie, & families, we are so sorry for your loss. Our heart breaks for you all. You all are in our thoughts & prayers. God Bless you all, Mary, Teresa Partin, & Billy McGehee
#33 Comment By Vincent Buchanan On May 29, 2020 @ 8:18 am
Matthew was like a second dad to me, he taught me how to fish and how to camp and just made me feel at home. I’ll never forget our times in baseball. He was just an amazing person in general.
#34 Comment By Martha Johnson On May 29, 2020 @ 10:02 am
Matthew was a kind and compassionate person who will be truly missed. His big smile when he talked about his boys is something I will always remember. May his legacy live on in the lives of those who were blessed to know him.
#35 Comment By William Fox, Tammy Fowler, Javon and Justice On May 29, 2020 @ 8:56 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. We met Matthew when our sons played ball together and it was like he knew us all his life. I don’t think he ever met a stranger. He will be missed. You are in our thoughts.
#36 Comment By Ken Buchanan On May 30, 2020 @ 12:04 pm
Tommy & Debbie, I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and the other family members during the coming difficult days. Matthew was always a pleasure to be around.
#37 Comment By Misty Brinkley On May 31, 2020 @ 11:53 am
I am so sorry for your loss. I went to school with Matthew as well as worked with him at Tullahoma Funeral Home. I have nothing but good memories of him. Praying for peace during this difficult time.