Sylvia was born on February 21, 1939, in Holly Bluff, MS to Edgar and Flora Nicholson. She grew up in Myrick, MS and graduated from Myrick High School in 1957. She met the love of her life during her senior year of high school. She married Bob Keyes on Valentines Day in 1958. They resided in Jackson, MS for 30 years and then Madison, MS for the last 35 years.
Sylvia worked as an Executive Administrative Assistant for several years. She then opened and ran her own business, The Secretary. She retired from the Mississippi Tennis Association in 2000.
Sylvia was an active member of Southside Assembly of God for over 40 years and served the church in many capacities. She also formed many lifelong friendships there. Sylvia was also a director of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, and spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Most knew her by the name Mamie.
She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Bob; Her daughters Pamela Chustz and Stephanie (Robert) Webb; Grandchildren: Lauren (Mike) Graf, Julie (Mac) Mabry, Adrienne (Joel) Maier; Great grandchildren: London, Sydney, and Kaleb Popp, Molly and Mary Mac Mabry, Elijah, Audrey, and Lilly Maier; Sister Fredna Craven; Brother-in-law Ken Keyes; Sister-in-law Brenda Wallace and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Flora Nicholson, sister Jeanette Kelly, and son-in-law Darwyn Chustz.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Parkway Funeral Home with a graveside to follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southside Assembly of God or the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi.
