Obituary for the Matriarch of the Sylver Family

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me...

Gaytha Lee Sylver Sanders was the second child, and first daughter born to John Thomas and Ellie Lee Sylver on June 25th, 1930, in Ocala, Florida. During her early years she was referred to as “Tiny” by her beloved grandparents, Kada and Hattie Hurst, because she was petite and short in stature.

Gaytha was recognized early on for her intelligence. She skipped two grades in elementary school and entered college at the age of 15. At the age of 12, Gaytha was selected by the 20th Street Church of Christ, to keep their bookkeeping records, and would stand before the congregation of hundreds, giving the monthly reports. It was a sight to behold! Before becoming a school teacher, later in life, she was hired to become the bookkeeper at various Jewish clothing manufacturers in New York City. A rarity for the 1950’s and even for today.

Gaytha went on to become the valedictorian of every school she attended and was well-known throughout the City of St. Petersburg for her brilliance. She was also a keen debater, and was the debating champion of the state of Florida in her teens.

Gaytha attended West Virginia State on a full scholarship and quickly became known on campus. Professors and administrators wanted to know who was the lone, tiny woman, in a room full of men, that was so gifted in mathematics? The University selected her to serve on many committees and represent them at city and state affairs.

She joined the AKA sorority and said that though she was not the shade of brown that they preferred, they could not deny her, based upon her grades and record. Gaytha went on to graduate in three years, Phi Beta Kappa in Mathematics.

After college, Gaytha resided in Wilmington, Delaware and later on, in New York City. She married, and to this first union was born her daughter, Jolli Brown. Her second union of marriage was to Garland Sanders and they had a son, John Sanders.

Gaytha Sanders was the matriarch of the Sylver Family. Her mother and father trained her at an early age to look after all of her siblings, and she “done did what she was told to do” in the words of the old Negro spiritual. She was a wonderful and wise counselor, friend to many and always humble. Her profession was school teacher. But for the times, Gaytha said that she would have wanted to be a captain of industry.

She adored her siblings: Orenzia, Charles, Redell, Alebis, Edward, Anne, LaVerne, Colette and Janis. She cherished all of her nieces and nephews and had great relationships with her very good friends Dolores Sylver (sister-in-law), Diane Brown, Joy Washington, Louise Rivers, Ruth Lewis, Sister Mack, Hattie Ward, Blanche Carpenter, Ida Powell and Bessie Allen.

Gaytha Lee Sylver, Sanders, you were a force to be reckoned with and you were a “joy to the world.” May God Bless you and keep you, We mourn you, but we are so grateful to have had you as mother, sister, aunt, co-worker and friend.

Lovingly Submitted
The Family

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