Sylvia Griffin Atkinson completed her long journey with Alzheimer’s disease with gentle grace. Death occurred on September 19 at home with husband, Tim; their daughter, Sharma Staten; and Caregiver/”Soul Daughter”, Monica Hawkins at her bedside. Sylvia resided in Lake City, Florida for the past 43 years.
Sylvia was born April 27, 1943, in Jacksonville, Florida. Her parents were Alma and Woodrow Griffin, stalwart members of the “Greatest Generation”. After her father’s return from service as a Marine in World War II, the family returned to their roots in Bainbridge, Georgia. Sylvia’s large extended family enriched her life from early years to old age. Sylvia lived an idyllic childhood for which she was infinitely grateful.
When Sylvia and Tim were 13 years old, his family moved to Bainbridge. Throughout their 57-year marriage, Sylvia relished telling of their first meeting. She was playing the piano for Sunday School when Tim first came into the class: “I took one look and knew that he was the one.” Tim took note of the pretty girl at the piano, but was clueless that this moment was the beginning of an epic love story.
During her high school years, Sylvia excelled in academics, accompanied the High School Glee Club and church choirs and was active in her church. She and Tim spent many happy times together in Bainbridge during their early teenage years.
After graduating high school with honors, Sylvia declined a scholarship at a prestigious college for women and enrolled at Valdosta State College. It was no coincidence that Tim’s family had moved to Valdosta where he would also attend Valdosta State. Sylvia again excelled in academics and was active in student life, especially the Baptist Student Union. Again, she graduated with honors.
The college years were joyful years for Sylvia and Tim. Hardly a day passed without their being together. First love matured into lasting love and they were married on December 29, 1964.
Sylvia and Tim left Georgia for Louisville, Kentucky, where Tim was in graduate school. It was there that Sylvia found her true vocation while working as secretary to the Librarian at Southern Baptist Seminary. From that time on, Sylvia worked in libraries—a college library and a community library in Kentucky; and the V.A. Medical Center library and County Public Library in Lake City. Sylvia was widely known as the helpful lady with the sweet smile at the front desk. She gave her smile, listening ear, and expertise to all. Sylvia especially enjoyed serving old veterans.
While living in Eastern Kentucky, Sylvia’s and Tim’s epic love story was enriched by the birth of their daughter, Sharma Atkinson-Staten. Sharma and Sylvia loved each other deeply. Their love, pride, and joy for each other became deeper and richer as decades passed. The saga of love was further enriched by the births of three grandchildren-Alexis, Chase, and Calista Fuller. Each shared special times with their Granny who loved them “through and through”.
A reflection of Sylvia’s life is not complete without noting her love of “all creatures, great and small”, especially felines. For 57 years there was always at least on cat in the Atkinson home. Somehow, cats in need of a loving home knew where to come. In Sylvia’s final weeks, “Mister” spent many hours snuggling with her. He seemed to know that her time was short.
At the core of her being, Sylvia was an intensely thankful person. She was gifted in expressing thanks and kindness especially to people who least expected it. She continued to demonstrate that gift until Alzheimer’s robbed her of too much of her cognitive and emotional capacity. She never saw a veteran without thanking him for his service. She regularly thanked the postman and wanted to tip the garbage man each day he came. In a restaurant or grocery store, she never failed to approach parents with a baby or toddler with her signature greeting, “oh, she/he is just adorable!”. She left many folks, friends and strangers, with smile on their faces.
Tim and Sharma express sincere thanks to compassionate, skilled Caregivers who made it possible for Sylvia to spend her final years and days at home—especially Monica Hawkins, Charlene Durrance, Melinda Galarza, Taylor Graff, and Mindy Tyre.
Tim and Sharma also wish to express deep gratitude to loving, supportive neighbors and to friends at First Presbyterian Church who were responsive to Sylvia and intuitively knew how to communicate with her during her long, arduous journey with Alzheimer’s Disease.
In addition to her husband, daughter, and grandchildren, Sylvia is survived by “Soul Daughter”, Monica Hawkins; brother-in-law, David Atkinson; son-in-law, Jimmy Staten and his children, Jayden and Ashlyn Staten and granddaughter, Elizabeth; and loving cousins and friends.
Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of cremation. Sylvia’s ashes will be scattered at places special to Sylvia and Tim—Falling Creek, James Montgomery Trail, and Sylvia’s beloved Ginkgo tree.
Sylvia would be honored with donations to any organization that does good works. Among her favorites were The Nature Conservancy and UNICEF.
There are no funeral events planned at this time. Memorializing Sylvia can best be done through daily acts of kindness, especially to those who least expect it; and think of Sylvia.
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