Our beloved mother and "Grandma" was born on October 31, 1936 in Pt. Arthur, Texas to parents Fred Smith and Christine Milich Smith. She passed away to be with our Lord on April 23, 2025 surrounded by family.

Sylvia was the first of four children born into the Smith family. She grew up in Pt. Arthur and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. She married A.J. "Buck" Varnum and moved to the Beaumont, Texas area. They had three children—Vivian, Leonard and David. She earned a Bachelor's and a Master's degree from Lamar University in Beaumont.

She was a stay-at-home mom creating many happy memories for her children. She later returned to work as a teacher and served the public school system for many years as a Music Teacher, English Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Special Education Counselor and Educational Diagnostician. She returned to work after retirement for many years as a Substitute Teacher.

Church was always the foundation of her life. This closeness with God was instilled in her children as well. After 20 years of marriage, she was divorced and moved to the Kingwood, Texas area where her 3 children and their families ended up as well. She became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood shortly after moving to the area and enjoyed the weekly services and fellowship there. She made many lifelong friends in the church and was a member of the Bible Study and Book Club there.

Around 1995, a very special person named Bill Berry came into her life. They became best friends and shared many similar interests—shopping, traveling, theater, and ballet. Bill became an integral part of the family and was a beloved "grandfather" to Sylvia's grandchildren. Bill spent many years with the family until he passed away in 2020.

Sylvia was a generous, compassionate, family-oriented, and independent person who enjoyed spending time with her family most of all. She played the piano, played Bridge, and loved the game "Upwords". She enjoyed movies and always kept up with the Academy Awards and Oscars. The most important events in her life were the births of her children and grandchildren. She loved celebrating birthdays, graduations, and the achievements of her family members.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her mother, Christine Milich Smith, her father, Fred Jack Smith, her brother, J.R. "Rusty" Smith and sister-in-law Carol Smith, and her sister-in-law Wanda Smith.

She is survived by her brother, Steve Smith, sister Susie Jayroe and brother-in-law Charles Jayroe. She is survived by her cousin and best friend Martha Scales and her husband Ken Scales, daughter, Vivian Stark and son-in-law William Stark, son, Leonard Varnum and daughter-in-law Alexis Varnum, and son David Varnum and daughter-in-law Neysa Varnum.

She is survived by her beloved grandchildren Dr. Kristen "Emily" Kay, Katherine Kay, Shelby Stark, Shea Baria and husband Driston, Courtney Scully and husband Joshua Scully, Brooke McDonald and husband Tyler McDonald, Brady Varnum, Abigail Varnum, Georgia Varnum, Hunter Varnum, Kyla Holt and Kayden Holt.

She is survived by her beloved great-grandchildren Carter Baria, Camryn Baria, Avery Scully, Jade Scully, Elli McDonald, Maddox McDonald and Emery McDonald.