Phyllis Ellen Galumbeck Sultan

Phyllis Galumbeck Sultan, of Asheville, died peacefully at Life Care Center of Hendersonville on Saturday, April 15, two months shy of her 103rd birthday. She will be remembered for her joie de vivre, her laughter, her love of family and friends, and her passion for learning, travel, and the arts. Phyllis was born in Norfolk, VA, in 1920. She was raised and spent her entire life in North Asheville. She is the daughter of Tippie and Frances (Fruhauf) Galumbeck. Phyllis attended UNC-Greensboro and received her BA in Journalism from UNC-Chapel Hill. She worked as the head librarian at the Oakley Branch Library for many years, where she initiated the ability of patrons to check out small works of art in addition to books. Always active in the Asheville community, Phyllis donated to charities and volunteered for many organizations, including the USO, the Red Cross, and Blue Ridge Public Radio, where she was a reader for the blind. She was a member of the board of St. Joseph’s Hospital, receiving their award for service, and a devoted volunteer and patron of the Asheville Community Theatre (where she did some amateur acting), the Asheville Symphony, and the Asheville Art Museum. She was a lifelong member of the Beth ha Tephila Congregation. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Norman Sultan, whom she married in Asheville on Pearl Harbor Day 1946. Norman owned and operated a tire company, Sultan of Tires. His former garage at 77 Coxe Avenue is now Asheville Brewery. Phyllis and Norman traveled the world, enjoyed their children, active social lives, and many enduring friendships, all of which Phyllis continued after her husband passed away in 1981. Phyllis is also preceded in death by her sister, Helen Mae Cohen, brother-in-law Joe Cohen, and sister-in-law Mary Jane Nelson. She is survived by her four children: Jeffrey Sultan (Sue Borg), Donald Sultan, Terrie Sultan (Christopher French), and Nancy Sultan (Roland Green); five grandchildren: Katherine Sultan, Frances Sultan (John McCullough), Penn Sultan, Philip Shoaf (Eliza Mohlie), and Nina Sultan; and four great-grandchildren: Georgia and Ada McCullough and Hal and Dax Shoaf. She is also survived by her nephew, Ted Cohen, and niece, Shelley Fudge, and nephews, Rick and Scott Cohen. A graveside service will be held at the Riverside Cemetery, 53 Birch St., Asheville, NC, on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 2:00 pm. Rabbi Batsheva H. Meiri will officiate. The family would like to thank the fabulous staff and caregivers at Griswold Home Care, Four Seasons, and Life Care Center of Hendersonville, for the loving care and attention given to Phyllis. Those desiring to make a charitable contribution are encouraged to donate to the Manna Food Bank (www.MannaFoodBank.org)

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Phyllis Ellen Galumbeck Sultan

June 29, 1920 - April 15, 2023