Sylvia Louise Brown

Sylvia Louise Brown, 68, of Junction City, KS passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Stormont Vail Healthcare in Topeka, KS. A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 27, 2023, with the funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. at Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church in Junction City with Reverend Andrew J. Rollins officiating and Reverend Viola W. Jones providing the eulogy. Burial will follow the service at Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to be given to Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, 1711 N. Jefferson Street, Junction City, KS.

Sylvia was born on August 6, 1954, in Junction City, KS, the daughter of Elliott & Barbara J. (Wilson) Smith.

Sylvia graduated from Junction City High School with the Class of 1972. During high school she worked at Brown’s Floral and continued to work there during holidays and special occasions until they closed in 2006. In October 1975, Sylvia began her federal civil service career on Fort Riley. She worked in Property Book and Supply Management for 34 years until she retired in 2009. She also worked as a C.N.A. at Valley Vista and then Valley View Senior Life for 4 years in the evenings during 1997-2001.

Sylvia was a lifelong member of Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, where she sang in the Angelic and Inspirational Choirs. She served as the director of the Young People’s Division. She was a Steward and Trustee and served as the Church Secretary from the time she retired from civil service in 2009 until 2020.

Sylvia was the resident therapist wherever she went. She loved going to Dillon’s and Walmart and enjoyed catching up with friends. She never met a stranger. Her hobbies included: reading, making flower arrangements, caring for plants, and playing cards, especially Bid Whist and Spades. In her younger years, she was adventurous and enjoyed driving across the United States with her friends, riding motorcycles and playing softball with church members in the Adult Softball League.

She was an amazing and wonderful mom and aunt. Her son Byron was her only child and she ensured that he was well provided for, loved, and protected. She served as a second mom to her nephews and nieces. Her nieces and nephews gave her many names over the years: Aunt Sylvia, SLB, Syl, Sylver, Ms. Brown and Sybbie. She was “old school” and ensured they were well groomed, and on their best behavior out in public. She had individual named rulers for her son and her nephews and nieces. She would pull the ruler out and give them a look to get them back in line. She also did this with other children in church. Everyone knew that Aunt Sylvia, Ms. Sylvia, or Ms. Brown did not play. As she became a great aunt, she became a softy, and the ruler went away. Her great nieces and nephews loved going to her house and hanging with her, because she would cook for them, and take them to Walmart and McDonald’s. She was known for giving crisp $2 bills and $1 bills to equal the age of one’s birthday.

Sylvia valued faith, family, and community. She knew the Lord and ensured her family knew him as well. She loved her family and made sure they stayed connected and participated in community events such as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Juneteenth Celebrations. She was big on creating traditions. As part of her missionary work at church, she enjoyed working with the staff and students at Washington Elementary and Westwood Elementary, providing students with hats, gloves, coats, socks, and shoes and even school picture money. She loved fellowshipping with other churches and was always willing to lend a helping hand in the kitchen or serving guests. She instilled in her family the importance of giving back and so much more.

Sylvia had an old soul and had many friends and mentors who were her elders. She was God-fearing, selfless, kind, and a servant leader at heart. She was an amazing cook and was always asked to make cabbage or green beans for others. After she retired, she would cook and call others to come pick up food. She had a giving heart and loved fully. She always had a kind and encouraging word and listening ear. She was full of life and enjoyed caring for the elderly and sick, which was her purpose in life.

Her smile, listening ear, big laugh, giving spirit, and care for others will live on in her family and the many lives she touched.

Sylvia leaves to mourn her beloved family. Survivors include: one son, Byron Jerome Brown and her granddaughter Anaiza Marie Brown-Colon of Orlando, Florida. Her parents Elliott and Barbara J. Smith and two brothers, Elliott Lynn Smith and Erick Lamont Smith all of Junction City, KS. Her nephews and nieces who she treated as her children: Three nephews: Lynn “L” Smith and his wife Amber of Topeka, KS; Elliott “Buster” Smith and his wife Sarah of Springfield, MO; Eric McMahan of Tennessee; Rina D. Neal and her husband Jimmy of Junction City, KS; Teena M. Figueroa and her husband Raymond of Lawton, OK; and DeAnne D. McMahan of Las Vegas, NV. Her great nieces and nephews: A’Lya E. Figueroa, Ariana Smith, Jayson Neal, Ellarah Smith, Sarelle Smith, Jalen McMahan, Adric Smith, Maya Neal, Gloriana Emmi, Lailani Smith, and Loelle Smith. One aunt: Shirley Wise; many cousins and a host of family and friends who loved and adored her.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her grandparents Will and Katie Smith and David and Mary Wilson; her sister LaDonna Marie Smith, her Godmother Lola Broils and special friend Minnie P. Boyd, as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.


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