Sylvester, Effie Willams1898-1959

SYLVESTER, WILLIAMS, SIMBRO, HEALD

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes, Poweshiek ACC
Date: 3/21/2014 at 08:54:33

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
June 4, 1959

EFFIE WILLIAMS SYLVESTER
(Contributed)

Effie Williams Sylvester, daughter of Charlie and Mary Williams, was born near Earlham, Iowa on June 6, 1898 and passed to her reward in the Newton hospital on May 20, 1959, at the age of 60 years, 11 months, and 14 days.

She moved with her family from Earlham to the Sugar Creek and Lynnville community, later moving to a farm near Eddyville.

She was graduated from the Eddyville high school in 1917, from William Penn college in 1923 and received her Masters degree from the State University of Iowa in 1928.

On June 6th, 1928 she was united in marriage with Leslie G. Sylvester in her parents' home near Eddyville. They lived in Oskaloosa for a time before moving to the family home near Lynnville where they have since resided. To this union were born one daughter and four sons, William of Des Moines, Howard of Cedar Rapids, Richard of Los Angeles, Calif., and Walter at home, Mrs. Rosa (William) Simbro of Letts, also four grandsons.

She was a member of the United Society of Friends Women, The Federated Womens Club and the Garden club. She became a member of the Lynnville Friends church by transfer on July 2nd, 1931. She served in places of responsibility and on various committees in the church and at the time of her passing she was chairman of the flower committee and was president of the local missionary society. In many ways she gave of her time and abilities most generously and willingly.

Survivors include her husband, Leslie G. Sylvester, four sons, William of Des Moines, Howard of Cedar Rapids, Richard of Los Angeles, Calif., Walter at home, one daughter, Mrs. Rosa Simbro of Letts, four grandsons, James, Jay and Jeffrey Sylvester, and Robert Paul Simbro, two sisters, Mrs. Rachael Heald and Miss Beatrice Williams of St. Cloud, Minn., two brothers, John of Peoria, Ill. and Fred of Grinnell, also several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Friday, May 22, 1959 in the Lynnville Friends church in charge of Rev. Carl D. Byrd. Mrs. Howard Macy accompanied the congregation as they sang, "Jesus Lover of My Soul" and Mrs. Carl Byrd who sang "Under His Wings." Pallbearers were John Blom, Gerard Roorda, Harold F. Macy, Rayford A. Ratcliff, Warren Stanley and Marshall Meredith.

The flora offerings which were unusually numerous and beautiful were in charge of Mrs. Rayford A. Ratcliff, Mrs. Earl Macy, Mrs. Harvey Gause and Mrs. Lehrl Fritz. Interment was in Woodland cemetery.