Sylvia Christine Collins - Kinyon

“From the very beginning, Sylvia Christine Collins-Kinyon life reflected both resilience and purpose. Though she entered the world facing adversity, the Lord’s hand remained upon her life. Born on May 17, 1995, at the University of Illinois Chicago Hospital, Sylvia carried within her a light that would one day shine brightly through every room, every relationship, and every life she touched.

As a baby, Sylvia faced early challenges with the strength in her legs, and there were concerns that she may have some challenges. But God had the final say over her story. In what her family will always remember as one of His many miracles, Sylvia took her very first steps on her first birthday — walking across the kitchen floor to the amazement and joy of everyone present. From the very beginning, Sylvia’s life became a testimony of perseverance, faith, and the undeniable power of God.”

“Now to the good stuff. From a very young age, Sylvia’s vibrant spirit and determination were evident in everything she pursued. From the moment Sylvia walked into a room, her laughter — much like her father Eric’s — was infectious, filling every space with warmth, joy, and life.

Sylvia developed a deep love for theater and music early on, with The Lion King becoming one of the very first productions that sparked her imagination and love for performance. Gifted with a unique raspy voice and often accompanied by her guitar, Sylvia began writing music at a very young age. Whether singing in musicals, performing with the church choir, or simply sharing songs from her heart, music became one of Sylvia’s closest lifelong companions and a beautiful extension of her spirit. This gift also formed a special bond she later shared with her mother, her father, and her older sisters. All of them were passionate about music, and together they shared this musical gift with the community as a family ministry.

As a child, Sylvia was a girl scout and also participated in the Gamma Phi Circus, where her love for movement, performance, and self-expression continued to shine. Naturally athletic, she carried an energy that could hardly be contained, bringing passion, creativity, and life into every space she entered.”

Sylvia attended Metcalf School on the campus of Illinois State University alongside her older sister Candace, who attended University High School. Together with their mother, Sandra, the campus became a meaningful part of their family’s daily life and many cherished memories were formed. In her downtime as a child, Sylvia loved cooking with her mom Sandra, honing her craft as a guitarist and musician alongside her dad Eric, who played piano. They also enjoyed fishing together—a pastime that began in her childhood and continued as a treasured activity well into adulthood.

Sylvia gave her life to Christ at an early age and served in numerous ministries at Union Missionary Baptist Church — singing in the choir, participating in praise dance ministry, Sunday school, actively supporting the children's department and Baptist Youth Fellowship. She was crowned District Queen. Sylvia loved celebrating others from behind the scenes and had a gift for making people feel encouraged, supported, and seen.

One of God’s greatest gifts in Sylvia’s life was the lifelong friendship she shared with her beloved best friend, Rachelle Griffin. The two grew up side by side, their stories naturally intertwining through childhood adventures, church activities, laughter, growing pains, and life’s many ups and downs. Through every season, their bond remained rooted in love, loyalty, and genuine friendship — a sisterhood that carried them through the early years and beyond.

Sylvia became a beloved part of the theater community at Bloomington High School, where her passion for the stage truly flourished. She participated in numerous productions that allowed her to share her creativity, emotion, and gift for performance with the community that so faithfully came out to support and celebrate her. Among the many memorable productions she participated in, Les Misérables remained especially meaningful. Oh and by the way, It’s no surprise she loved Harry Potter. Sylvia had a particular love for the Twilight series, and she and her older sister Candace would often dive deep into conversations about their childhood favorites like Debbie Allen’s Hallmark classic Polly, Wish Upon a Star, and Tia and Tamera’s Seventeen Again, and of course her all time favorite The Sandlot—reliving the joy of the films they grew up loving. To this day her older sisters both affectionately call her “Smalls.”

Sylvia deeply cherished the guidance and mentorship of Jennifer Rusk, who poured into her gifts, nurtured her confidence, and helped shape her development as a young thespian. Through theater, Sylvia found not only an artistic outlet, but also a space where her vibrant personality, emotion, and love for storytelling could fully shine.

After graduating from Bloomington High School in 2014, Sylvia continued her education at Heartland Community College, where she focused on elementary education. Carrying her love for children and passion for helping others, Sylvia went on to pursue a career in education as a paraprofessional, serving students first in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, and later in Fort Wayne, Indiana. During this season of her life, she also faithfully volunteered with Heartland Community Church, where she lovingly cared for infants, babies, and toddlers during church services and Bible studies. Sylvia had a special love for young children, and she found great joy in nurturing and comforting little ones through the church’s childcare ministry.

It was during this chapter of her life — while dedicating herself to supporting and uplifting young people through education — that Sylvia met Jesse Kinyon, who would later become her beloved husband.

From the very beginning of their relationship, it was evident that God had brought them together. Both Sylvia and Jesse shared a deep love for the Lord, and their faith was central to their journey. Together, they attended Elevation Church, growing not only in their love for each other, but in their shared walk with Christ.

Sylvia later made her home full-time in Fort Wayne, where she became deeply connected with and dearly loved by Jesse’s family. Sylvia had a deep love for animals, especially dogs and cats. Shortly after moving out on her own following college, she welcomed her first furry companion, Daisy, into her life — beginning a journey that would make her a proud and loving cat mommy to Casper, Claudia, and Spade for years to come. She also enjoyed life’s simple comforts: Starbucks coffee runs for her iced caramel macchiato decaf 4-shots espresso roast - no ice, no caramel drizzle, 5 pumps of brown sugar syrup, and no dairy vanilla sweet cream. She had a beautiful voice and loved singing along in worship with Elevation, family dinners with Jesse’s family, and peaceful walks through nature preserves. Sylvia found joy in quiet moments surrounded by nature, good conversation, and the people she loved.

No matter where life took her, Sylvia always treasured coming home to Bloomington for the holidays to spend precious time with her family — her older sisters, Candace, Latoya, her father Eric, her mom Phyllis, and her beloved niece Akira and sister-friend Jennifer. Some of the family’s most cherished memories were created around laughter-filled gatherings, music, storytelling, and good food lovingly prepared together. Sylvia especially looked forward to enjoying her big sister Latoya’s cooking — particularly her famous macaroni and cheese and turkey that was “never dry.”

The Collins family also shared a love for games and fellowship, often gathering around the table for spirited rounds song and of course Uno and countless moments of laughter. This past year, one of the family’s most treasured memories was playing Telestrations together, creating a night filled with joy, humor, and unforgettable moments that will remain close to their hearts.

In adulthood, Sylvia continued many of the traditions and bonds she cherished throughout her life. She still enjoyed fishing with her father and spent countless hours talking about relationships with Christ, music, movies, dating, and life with her older sister Candace. In 2026, the two recorded their very first podcast episode together, “Music, Minds I Love,” where Sylvia reflected on many of the movies, songs, and memories of singing in the choir at Union that shaped her growing up. It became yet another beautiful expression of the closeness they shared and the joy Sylvia brought into the lives of those she loved most.

In her later adult years, God blessed Sylvia with the opportunity to know love deeply, not only through her husband, Jesse, but also through the fierce, unwavering love of her father, Eric, who faithfully prayed alongside his wife, Phyllis. Having walked a similar road of health challenges, Phyllis and Eric understood the path and covered Sylvia with the wisdom and care only they could provide. Her older sister Latoya, too, offered a deep understanding of what that journey looked like, providing empathy and support. Both Sylvia’s family—on the Collins side—and Jesse’s family, along with their church family, continually covered her in prayer, encouragement, and love.

She dreamed of being a mother and of continuing to deepen her purpose in Christ, serving the community through song. In her adulthood, she continued writing music and sharing it with her father, Eric, her husband, Jesse, and her sisters, Candace, Latoya, Jen, niece Akira and divinely appointed mom Phyllis—songs they will cherish for the rest of their lives. Her spirit lives on in every spontaneous song to the Lord, in every heartfelt melody that springs from the soul. Sylvia sang constantly, and through her, we learned to keep loving, keep singing, and keep connecting through music. She taught us that sharing our love through song is a gift—one that will continue to shine, just as Sylvia’s light will never fade.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her Mother, Sandra Vivian Collins; Aunt Christine Nolan, Aunt Sherry Collins, Great Grandmother Mamma Hattie, Grandmother, Ruby Mae Collins; Grandfather, Ernest Levi Collins; Grandmother, Bernice Nolan; Grandfather, Benjamin Nolan; Uncle, Benjamin Nolan II, and God brother, Edmund Doss.

Sylvia is also lovingly survived by her immediate family; her Husband, Jesse Kinyon, her Father, Eric King Collins; Her Divinely Appointed Mother, Phyllis Collins; her older sisters, Candace, Latoya, her niece, Akira, her close friend and sister, Jennifer; (Extended Family on her Father’s Eric’s side) Uncle Ernest Collins, Cousins; Natsha, Persephone, Dawyane, Nala Rae, Zynia, Joy,Bow, Win, Winston, The Hargrove, Jones, King Families (On her Mother Sandra’s side) Syreeta, Ben, April, David, Kenny, Nolan-Alston- Brooks family, (Divinely Appointed mother’s side) The Thornton Family— (Divinely Appointed) Debbie Skelly—and her cousin: Kara. Birthmother Sharon Deborah Dewitt and birth sister Jada Jones.

She is lovingly survived by her Husband’s family: Danyiel Colbert (mother-in-law), William Colbert (father-in-law), Allysia Kinyon and Elizabeth Colbert (sisters-in-law), Georgina Shields (aunt-in-law), and Casey Shields (brother-in-law) along with his significant other, Breann Boaz, and (nephew) Cashton Shields.

A graveside service will be held at 12:00pm, on May 27, 2026, at

East Lawn Memorial Gardens, 1002 Airport Road, Bloomington, IL 617042524, US, on May 27, 2026, from 12:00 pm.

A Time of Reflection will take place at Union Baptist Church, 509 W Jackson St, Bloomington, IL 61704, US, on May 27, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Celebration of Life will be held at Union Baptist Church, 509 W Jackson St, Bloomington, IL, on May 27, 2026, at 2:00 pm.

To share condolences with the family and view the online tribute, please visit EastLawnMemorial.com