Sylvia Louise Brown, 68, of Junction City, KS passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Stormont Vail Healthcare in Topeka, KS.
A
visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 27, 2023, with
the funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. at Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church
in Junction City with Reverend Andrew J. Rollins officiating and
Reverend Viola W. Jones providing the eulogy. Burial will follow the
service at Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to
be given to Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, 1711 N. Washington Street,
Junction City, KS.
Sylvia was born on August 6, 1954, in Junction City, KS, the daughter of Elliott & Barbara J. (Wilson) Smith.
Sylvia
graduated from Junction City High School with the Class of 1972.
During high school she worked at Brown’s Floral and continued to work
there during holidays and special occasions until they closed in 2006.
In October 1975, Sylvia began her federal civil service career on Fort
Riley. She worked in Property Book and Supply Management for 34 years
until she retired in 2009. She also worked as a C.N.A. at Valley Vista
and then Valley View Senior Life for 4 years in the evenings during
1997-2001.
Sylvia was a lifelong member of Ward Chapel A.M.E.
Church, where she sang in the Angelic and Inspirational Choirs. She
served as the director of the Young People’s Division. She was a
Steward and Trustee and served as the Church Secretary from the time she
retired from civil service in 2009 until 2020.
Sylvia was the
resident therapist wherever she went. She loved going to Dillon’s and
Walmart and enjoyed catching up with friends. She never met a stranger.
Her hobbies included: reading, making flower arrangements, caring for
plants, and playing cards, especially Bid Whist and Spades. In her
younger years, she was adventurous and enjoyed driving across the United
States with her friends, riding motorcycles and playing softball with
church members in the Adult Softball League.
She was an amazing
and wonderful mom and aunt. Her son Byron was her only and child and
she ensured that he was well provided for, loved, and protected. She
served as a second mom to her nephews and nieces. Her nieces and
nephews gave her many names over the years: Aunt Sylvia, SLB, Syl, Ms.
Brown and Sybbie. She was “old school” and ensured they were well
groomed, and on their best behavior out in public. She had individual
named rulers for her son and her nephews and nieces. She would pull the
ruler out and give them a look to get them back in line. She also did
this with other children in church. Everyone knew that Aunt Sylvia, Ms.
Sylvia or Ms. Brown did not play. As she became a great aunt, she
became a softy and the ruler went away. Her great nieces and nephews
loved going to her house and hanging with her, because she would cook
for them, and take them to Walmart and McDonald’s. She was known for
giving crisp $2 bills and $1 bills to equal the age of one’s birthday.
Sylvia
valued faith, family, and community. She knew the Lord and ensured her
family knew them as well. She loved her family and made sure they
stayed connected and participated in community events such as the Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Juneteenth Celebrations. She was big on
creating traditions.
Sylvia had an old soul and had many
friends and mentors who were her elders. She was God-fearing, selfless,
kind, and a servant leader at heart. She was an amazing cook and was
always asked to make cabbage or green beans for others. After she
retired, she would cook and call others to come pick up food. She had a
giving heart and loved fully. She always had a kind and encouraging
word and listening ear. She was full of life and enjoyed caring for the
elderly and sick, which was her purpose in life.
Her smile,
listening ear, big laugh, giving spirit, and care for others will live
on in her family and the many lives she touched.
Sylvia leaves to
mourn her beloved family. Survivors include: one son, Byron Jerome
Brown and her granddaughter Anaiza Marie Brown-Colon of Orlando,
Florida. Her parents Elliott and Barbara J. Smith and two brothers,
Elliott Lynn Smith and Erick Lamont Smith all of Junction City, KS. Her
nephews and nieces who she treated as her children: Three nephews:
Lynn “L” Smith and his wife Amber of Topeka, KS; Elliott “Buster” Smith
and his wife Sarah of Springfield, MO; Eric McMahan of Tennessee; Rina
D. Neal and her husband Jimmy of Junction City, KS; Teena M. Figueroa
and her husband Raymond of Lawton, OK; and DeAnne D. McMahan of Las
Vegas, NV. Her great nieces and nephews: A’Lya E. Figueroa, Ariana
Smith, Jayson Neal, Ellarah Smith, Sarelle Smith, Jalen McMahan, Adric
Smith, Maya Neal, Gloriana Emmi, Lailani Smith, and Loelle Smith.
One aunt: Shirley Wise; many cousins and a host of family and friends who loved and adored her.
Sylvia
was preceded in death by her grandparents Will and Katie Smith and
David and Mary Wilson; her sister LaDonna Marie Smith, her Godmother
Lola Broils and special friend Minnie P. Boyd, as well as several aunts,
uncles, and cousins.