Sylvia Liles Maynard O'Kelley

She is survived by her husband of almost 63 years, Dewey Thomas O’Kelley, Jr.; a son, Dewey T. O’Kelley III; a daughter, Courtney Liles O’Kelley Cox (Jamie); and two grandchildren, Ann Liles Cox and Bryan O’Kelley Cox. She is also survived by her brother, Atlas Alan Maynard III (Betty).

She is preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Angelyn Maynard Burgess (Sam).

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 19th, at Siloam Baptist Church in Harrells, NC. The family will receive visitors in the Fellowship Hall at 1:15pm. The family asks that Covid-19 protocols be followed. Masks will be provided and are to be worn once inside the church. The family thanks you for your care and cooperation.

Sylvia was born in Greensboro, NC, on October 21, 1936, the daughter of the late Atlas Alan Maynard, Jr., and Ezlee Allen Maynard. She spent her childhood on a tobacco and turkey farm on Black River in Harrells, NC, alongside two wonderful siblings, close to beloved cousins and extended family. She never missed an opportunity to praise her parents and remark on how much she valued her upbringing. The foundation they gave her served all who knew her well. She was a best friend and confidant to so many and everyone who spent time with her felt encouraged, especially her children and grandchildren.

She met her husband, Tommy, when they were both 14 years old. They began to date while she was attending Meredith College, with him at NCSU. After she graduated with a degree in Music Education, they married in June of 1959, and have been an example of love, support, and commitment for all who witnessed their bond.

Before her children were born, she enjoyed teaching choral music at Millbrook School in Raleigh. She was a member of Hayes Barton Baptist Church since 1965 and was involved in their music program and served the church many other ways. She cherished the friendships that were fostered there. After becoming a grandmother, she began her work as a music therapist for NC Division of Aging, delighting in the joy singing brought to patients with memory loss.

She was politically active her entire adult life. She volunteered for candidates and causes, including writing memorable campaign jingles. This led her to start a singing trio with a piano accompanist, performing at the North Carolina Democratic Party’s Jefferson-Jackson Day Breakfast, where they were coined the “J-J Singers.” She wrote witty and satirical lyrics to well-known tunes, and they performed at countless venues for over 40 years. These dear and talented friends filled each of their homes with music, rehearsals, and laughter.

Sylvia loved to host parties and enjoyed planning them, especially if there was a theme that excited her. One of her parties was written up in the local paper, which was picked up by the New Yorker Magazine. She was so surprised to find that her “America’s Cup” gathering, where guests came dressed as different members of Newport high society, had been mentioned in such a publication. She and Tommy hosted a yearly St. Patrick’s Day Singalong. She could coax the most reluctant singer to shine. For those who attended year after year, it was as important to the year’s rhythm as any other holiday ritual. Among her favorite travels included trips to Ireland with family and friends.

“Aunt Sylvia” adored her nieces and nephews and loved to pack picnics and head for White Lake with a carload of cousins. They all knew they could count on her for acceptance, levity, and song. As one of her nephews recently wrote, “For Irish sing-alongs and every special holiday, she’s always been the host to make all sadness melt away. Mother, daughter, sister, aunt, wife and greatest friend, Sylvia’s the pot of gold found at the rainbow’s end.”

If you would like to make a donation in Sylvia’s memory, you might consider the Anna Elizabeth Liles Maynard Scholarship Fund at Meredith College, 3800 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27607 or Siloam Baptist Church, 833 Tomahawk Highway, Harrells, NC 28444.

Services are provided by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC.