Sylvia Brooks Larson, known by all who loved her as “Sibba,” died peacefully at home in Fresno, Calif. on Aug. 12, 2013, with her husband Dick at her side.
Sylvia was born on Jan. 4, 1933 to Laverne and Charles Edward Brooks Sr. of Colquitt, Ga..
She was the youngest of four siblings: Charles Junior, Thomas “Buddy” Brooks and Jeannine Wester. She attended school in Miller County and after high school, Sylvia moved to Americus, then to Athens to earn her degree in elementary education. She taught school for a year, then went to the Bainbridge Airbase where she worked as a dispatcher for a few years. She then moved to Philadelphia where she attended Temple University and earned her B.S. in dental hygiene. Her travels then took her to Pensacola, Fla. where she worked as a hygienist for several years. Sylvia met Dick in Pensacola and the two were married on Oct. 8, 1965 at the Colquitt United Methodist Church.
As a member of the United States Navy, Dick was relocated from Pensacola to Maine where the two eventually moved. Their first child, Brooks, was born in Lewiston, Maine in August 1967. Shortly after that, Dick was stationed in Iceland, and Sylvia returned with Brooks to live in Colquitt. After the relocation to Iceland, Dick discharged from the Navy.
He and Sylvia then moved to Athens where Dick attended UGA for pharmacy school. It was in Athens that their second child, Leigh was born in 1972. The family moved to Panama City where they lived until 1978 and their ultimate move to Anchorage, Alaska. Sylvia lived in Alaska until 2000.
Sylvia’s many travels took her all across the United States. She was the type of person who never met a stranger and all who knew her, loved her. She was a courageous soul who brought a good fight and laughter to any challenge that ever came her way. Sylvia loved her family more than anything in the world and was eventually blessed with two granddaughters, Ava Lyn in 2006 and Shelby Leigh in 2009.
Sylvia is survived by her husband Dick; children Brooks and Leigh; daughter-in-law Christine; and granddaughters Ava and Shelby. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved her very much.
The world was a better place for having Sylvia Janet Larson and we are grateful for the time we were given with our mother, wife, grandmother, aunt and great aunt. Please join us for her funeral service at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28 2013 at the Colquitt United Methodist Church. Graveside services will follow, and a refreshment gathering for friends, family and good stories will be back at the church after the ceremony.
Sheffield Funeral Home of Colquitt is in charge.