Sylvia V. Syms, age 83, passed away on February 13, 2017, at Pine Pointe Hospice in Macon surrounded by her loving family.

The DeKalb County native lived most of her life in Wilcox County and Rochelle in particular.  A graduate of Elberton High School, Sylvia was a majorette for 3 years.  The highlight of her youth was the fact that during her senior year in high school she was one of six Georgia girls to ride the Granite Monumental float in the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.  After graduation, she attended the University of Georgia in Athens.  Upon conclusion of her studies, she moved to Wilcox County where she ran Syms’ 5 & 10, until the store was bought out in 1978.  When the store was sold, she went on to work with the Wilcox County Board of Education for 26 years as the Lunchroom Manager.  In her retirement, she found comfort in reading and traveling.  Even with all of her accomplishments in life, the aspect that she was most proud of was the fact that she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  The children have stated that she was the “rock” of the family.  Sylvia was one to never back down from the task at hand and always stepped up to the plate to attend to her family’s every need.  Whether it was attending to her husband during his 14 year extended illness, handling the affairs on the family farm, or taking time to nurture the kids in the community; Sylvia was always an ever present figure that was ready to serve.

She is preceded in death by her husband of over 53 years, Thomas E. Syms, Sr., and a son-in-law, Bill Campion.

Left to mourn her passing is her son, Thomas Syms and his wife Patricia of Rochelle; daughter, Deneen Campion of Lawrenceville; brother Larry Veal of Waycross; sister, Phyllis Steedley of Duluth; grandchildren Suzanne and John Campion; and numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and other relatives also survive.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2017, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Christian Hill F.W.B. Church.

Funeral services will immediately follow the visitation, beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, at Christian Hill F.W.B. Church with Rev. Wayne Martin and Dr. Rubin Roberts officiating.

Burial will follow in Morningside Cemetery in Rochelle.

Low Country Cremation & Burial is serving the Syms family.