Sylvia Mae Williamson Whitfield, of Aiken, S.C., lost her battle with Alzheimer’s disease and passed into paradise Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019.
Mrs. Whitfield was born Jan. 6, 1937, in Bryson City. She grew up in the Murphy area, and attended Hiwassee Dam School, where she was valedictorian of the class of 1955.
Following graduation, Mrs. Whitfield moved to Atlanta, Ga., where she worked for Bell Telephone Co., married and had two children.
In 1964 the family moved to Michigan, where Mrs. Whitfield was a homemaker and volunteer in the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, PTA, a room mother and an athletic booster.
Mrs. Whitfield worked for the National Bank of Detroit. She continued her education, studying accounting at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Mich.
In 1981, Mrs. Whitfield returned to the southeast, living in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Augusta, Ga., before retiring to Murphy, where she cared for her mother, who also suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.
Mrs. Whitfield enjoyed life with friends and her church, Reid’s Chapel.
A lifelong Democrat, she also worked with the Cherokee County Board of Elections.
Mrs. Whitfield was an avid reader, supporting local libraries most of her life. She also enjoyed gardening, especially growing flowers.
In 2014, a year and a half after her Alzheimer’s diagnoses, Mrs. Whitfield chose to move to Aiken, S.C., where she resided with her daughter and son-in-law, who, with the assistance of their family, provided her long-term care.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at Reid’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Murphy. The Rev. Mark Handy will officiate.
Mrs. Whitfield is survived by her son, David Whitfield and Em Forbes of Hayesville; her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Douglas Edwards of Aiken, S.C.; four grandchildren, Aaron and Crissie Edwards of Aiken, S.C., Bethany and John Ross of Graniteville, S.C., Ian Edwards of Atlanta, Ga., and Carter Whitfield of Hayesville; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Lowell and Nancy Williamson of Murphy; a sister-in-law, Carolyn Williamson of Murphy; her nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mrs. Whitfield was predeceased by her parents, Eugene Beecher Williamson and Nola Baines Williamson; and her brother, Robert Eugene Williamson.
Memorial donations may be made to Reid’s Chapel, Murphy, NC; or the Alzheimer’s Association.
George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803-649-6234).