HANOVER
Sylvia E. Spear Traylor, 94, of Hanover, formerly of Chesterfield, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 1:25 p.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017, at Thornton Terrace Health Campus in Hanover.
Born July 8, 1922, she was the oldest of five children born at home to Hugh E. Spear and Della G. Key Spear in Burkesville, Kentucky. Her siblings were Juanita Spear Janes Cook, Mayford Spear, Mildred Spear Brammer and Alton Spear.
After graduating from Cumberland County High School in Burkesville, she attended Lindsey Wilson College, where she earned a letter in volleyball and went on to become a schoolteacher. Her first job was in a one-room schoolhouse in Kentucky. She later taught in more traditional schools, where her passion of teaching children to learn and meet the challenges of life head-on in a positive manner was instilled in hundreds of children.
In 1945, she married Joe P. Traylor, and this happy union of 59 years was blessed with four sons, Eddie, J.D., Gary and Allen.
Their early years of marriage involved many moves and various states as the family grew and jobs changed. Ultimately, the family moved to Chesterfield, where Sylvia lived from 1960 until late 2015. She was a member of Chesterfield Christian Church before moving to Hanover into an assisted living facility. After moving to Hanover, she attended her son’s church, Hanover Baptist.
Chesterfield quickly became home, and she was involved with church, schools, Scouting and a growing family — always looking to give and help others. One of the joys of her life was being an award-winning Avon lady and meeting so many wonderful people through that association. Other interests were quilting, shuffleboard, Rook, dominoes and playing Pollyanna.
After Joe retired from Guide Lamp Division of General Motors, they became winter Texans and spent 20 years enjoying the warm winters down South. Even with retirement, they continued to volunteer in the schools and churches and sought out others in need of a helping hand. This was the fabric she was made of and continued even after her husband’s passing. She worked in the local food pantry and helped in other capacities into her 90s. Her devotion to family and others will never be forgotten. “We love you so much, Mom, and are what we are because of you,” — Eddie, J.D., Gary, Allen and our families.
It has been said that life is not measured in years but in deeds. There is, however, an exception to every rule, and the life of Sylvia was just that. After nine-plus decades of life, where she helped others in many different capacities, from infants to the elderly, with a desire to give without personal accolade, she has gone to be with the Lord.
In addition to her children, there are 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren she was able to enjoy tremendously from their lives. Sylvia’s husband of 59 years passed away too soon, and she had missed him dearly since.
She will be missed by her loving sons, Eddie (Darlene) Traylor of Austin, Texas, the Rev. J.D. (Cindy) Traylor of Hanover, Gary (Dixie) Traylor of Mount Airy, North Carolina, and Allen (Dee Dee) Traylor of Seymour; her loving grandchildren, Elicia Traylor, Randy Traylor, Charity (Joe) Freeman, Heather (Mike) Foy, Kim (Jay) Crawford, Matt (Angel) Traylor, Michael (Leila) Traylor, Tamara (Damon) Carter, Ashley (Darren) Creasy, Jennifer Traylor, Jessica (Kyle) Comer, Lucas (Kara) Traylor and Macy Traylor; her adoring great-grandchildren, Daulton and Hunter Freeman, Adida Ikongshul, Blake and Brooke Pocock, Bryce and Colin Foy, Belle, Raygan and Natalee Crawford, Tyler Adams, Griffin and Baden Carter, Lincoln Traylor, Cole Creasy, Paisley and Preston Comer, Grayson Harvey and Cadence and Adam Traylor; her loving sister, Mildred Brammer of Greenville, South Carolina; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her father Feb. 4, 1987; her mother May 16, 1984; her beloved husband July 10, 2004; her brothers, Alton Eugene Spear on April 12, 2004, and Mayford Spear on May 5, 2016; and her sister, Juanita Cook.
The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Chesterfield Christian Church with Pastor Ned Clark officiating. Interment will be at Bonnenberg Cemetery in Chesterfield.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Hanover Baptist Church and from 11 a.m. until time of service Wednesday at Chesterfield Christian Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Chesterfield Christian Church or Hanover Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre in Madison.