Sylvia Duane Chatham

TUSCALOOSA - Sylvia Duane Chatham, age 78, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, peacefully met her Savior, our loving Lord God, at her home on Monday, July 22nd, 2019. She was surrounded by family and angelic caregivers, all of whom she loved so dearly and deeply.

Services will be on Friday, July 26, 2019 at Memory Chapel Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. with a graveside service following officiated by Reverend Shane Cochran.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her father and mother, Buford and Louise Smith; sister, Yvonne Smith and her beloved brother, Rocky Smith; sister-in-law, Pat Smith; brothers-in-law, Michael Chatham, Jay Stith and Keith Campbell.

She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Lamar J. Chatham; her only child, Sheila Diane Whitehead; granddaughters, Christin Whitehead (Christopher) and Courtney Whitehead; grandson, Eric Johnson (Candice); great-grandchildren, Gavin, Cooper and Kiley; brother, Wayne Smith. Extended family includes sisters-in-law, Debbie Campbell Stith, Barbara Keiser, Diane Milligan and Jan Chatham.

Sylvia was born on February 5th, 1941, in Birmingham, Alabama. As a young woman in 1959, she met the love of her life at her favorite skating rink. Lamar was smitten and marriage followed soon thereafter. They spent the next 60 years happily married fulfilling their bucket list each and every day just by being together. Their mutual interests included Alabama football, traveling to various locations (including Hawaii, which was a favorite) and traveling in their RV. They made special memories for family and friends by entertaining at their Perdido Beach condo and Tennessee Mountain home.

Another passion they shared was their enjoyment of building various companies. With the help and support of devoted employees at Chatham Oil, Speedmart Food Stores, Hardees and Cold Stone, cherished memories were made. Sylvia was the ultimate hands-on type of owner who truly enjoyed nurturing and training their employees. She was very well known for never asking someone to do something that she wouldn’t do herself, no matter how menial the task.

Best known simply as “Mimi” by many, she was named by her two adoring granddaughters, Christin and Courtney. They were two of the true loves of her life and she absolutely enjoyed spending the majority of her time with them when they were younger. She shared her love of cooking with them, love of the outdoors, gardening and spent countless hours at their lake home fishing and enjoying water activities. She truly was the living example of what a precious Mother and grandmother should be.

Sylvia shared an unconditional love with her family, friends and everyone she met. She was the one who thought about others before herself, never asking or judging, but always loving and serving others. Bringing happiness, smiles, fun, support and encouragement to others was the special gift God gave her to share on this earth; she loved people. Her wish would be that kindness hopefully lives in the hearts of each person she touched. She was a dear soul who will be profoundly missed by many.

Pallbearers will be Eric Johnson, Christopher Davis, Win Knowles, Randall Smith, Alton Padgett and Milton Lawrence.

Honorary Pallbearers are her caregivers, Margaret, Jan and Leah; Liz and Leavy of Alabama Hospice; Dr. Ross Vaughn and staff; employees of Chatham Oil, Speedmart, Hardees and Cold Stone.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (Alabama Chapter), Alabama Hospice Care or Church of the Highlands.