Sylvia Ann Shavender Coltrain, of 24660 U.S. Highway 264 East, Pantego, died in her home on Aug. 19, 2019, in the early morning hours. This occurred after a long battle with congestive heart failure and multiple myeloma.
Sweet “Sylvie,” Wife, Mamma, Ma, Sister, Aunt, Granny and Nanny was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, on July 19, 1945, to the late Herman and Sadi Rae Shavender of Pantego. As a young child, her parents taught her to love and fear the Lord. Because of this, she learned to have compassion, to be humble, to be caring, to forgive, to work hard and to give you her very best and to cherish those who love you and those you love. After marrying and having children, her goal in life was to instill these same attributes in her family. Her family was her sole existence.
As a homemaker, she put her works to action through volunteerism. She was a dedicated member of Wilkinson Church of Christ in Pantego, teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and serving as Secretary of the Ladies Aid for many years. Sylvia substitute-taught at Beaufort County Elementary and Pantego Junior High Schools, served meals-on-wheels to shut-ins, served on the Old Academy board, and shared her beautiful voice in the Terra Ceia Community Choir for over 20 years as a first soprano.
Sylvia is survived by husband of 56 years, James “Jimmie” Coltrain; a son, James Todd (Amy), their children Zack (Bridgette), Issac (Kelsey), Tanner (Mollie), and Taylor Coltrain; a daughter, Connie Coltrain Martin (Chris), their children Kasey (Blake) Riggs, Tyler (Brandy), Allen; son, Ronnie Gaylord (Beverly), their children Ethan (Casey), Caleb (Julia) Coltrain; a son, Gregory Stewart (Tiffany), their children Mara, Austin, Jewel, Kaylyn, Mollie and Mallorie Coltrain. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Christopher, Lexi, Braylee, Miland, Adalyn, Nora, Thea and Clara; two sisters, Julia (Ellis) Winstead, of Summerville, Georgia, and Martha (Billy) Baynor, of Pantego. She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Hampton “Hampy” Allen. Her niece, Lori, and her husband, John Blackburn, were only a stone’s throw away, living next door and shared a very special bond and relationship with Aunt Sylvie.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the medical teams who have cared for Sylvia during this time. Dr. Alwair, Dr. Alhosaini, Johnna Cowin-FNP, Brenna Weston-FNP, Amedisys Hospice Care, Shelly Cahoon, Allie Gibbs, Veronica Ward and Robin Hollway.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and celebrate her life with a memorial service Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, at 2 p.m. Both will be held at Wilkinson Church of Christ, located at 141 Wilkinson Station Road, Pantego. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that all donations be made to Wilkinson Church of Christ Building Fund in memory of Sylvia Coltrain.
You may share a memory with the family by visiting www.josephpaulfdl.com.
Joseph B. Paul, Jr. Funeral Director Licensee of Washington is serving the Coltrain family. Services will be officiated by Ethan Coltrain, minister and grandson, and Dr. Gene Andrews, minister.