Sylvia Brown Rachford

Sylvia, a native Houstonian, was born the 3rd of March, 1937. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1955. Sylvia received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from Corpus Christi University (now Texas A&M University Corpus Christi). Sylvia was active in the University Choraliers, an original “show choir,” in both a performance and leadership role, performing for civic and church groups within Texas, including performances at the Texas State Fair. After graduation, Sylvia taught music and led choir programs at junior high and high schools in Corpus Christi and Houston. She later worked as Director of Graduate Admissions at Houston Baptist University.

Sylvia was a gifted and well-respected musician, and was passionate about music throughout her life. She loved performing in musicals. Sylvia also sang in the chancel choirs at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and later at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, and often performed solos in her beautiful alto voice. Sylvia met her future husband, Henry, in the St. Luke’s choir. She impressed Henry with her spunk when she jumped to her feet to continue conducting the choir, without missing a beat, when the choir director suddenly passed out. Sylvia and Henry were married shortly thereafter on the 25th of June, 1983 and shared their love of performing in chancel choirs, the Chamber Choir (including special performances in Ely Cathedral, in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England), and with the Houston Masterworks Chorus.

Sylvia loved all animals, and rescued many dogs and cats over the years. She loved entertaining her family and friends with much laughter, good humor, and fun, particularly her pool parties. Sylvia loved adventure and travel, and also having a good laugh with friends. She was compassionate and caring, and served as a Stephen Minister at church. Sylvia was also an active volunteer with the Emergency Aid Coalition Clothing Center.

Sylvia is predeceased by her parents, John Griffin Brown, Sr. and Bonnie Marie Brown, and her sister Dinah Lee Brown. She is survived by her husband Henry H. Rachford, Jr.; her brother John Griffin Brown, Jr. (wife Shirley); her niece Gine Brown McCormick (husband James); her grandnephew Cody Brown; her two grandnieces Lilley Marie McCormick and Lila Jane McCormick; her niece Brandy Cooper (wife Dayna); her two step-daughters Susan Rachford Imre (husband Tom), and Laurie Rachford; her three grandchildren Stephanie Fallon (husband Aaron), Chris Lohmann, and Alex Imre; and her great-granddaughter Poesy Fallon.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Belmont Village Hunter’s Creek, who cared for Sylvia over the last two and a half years, and for the wonderful care providers from the Allied Health Team. They especially want to thank Sharona Jacobs with the Elder Advisory Group for her kindness, care, thoughtfulness and compassion.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 20th of April, in the Library and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons. 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A funeral service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 21st of April, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 Main Street, Houston TX, 77004. Those unable to attend in-person, may join the livestream of the service by visiting Sylvia’s online memorial tribute page at GeoHLewis.com and selecting the “Join Livestream” icon under the service section.

At a later date, the family will gather for a private interment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Sylvia’s memory be directed to BrightFocus Foundation (brightfocus.org), 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871; St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 Main St., Houston, Texas 77004 (stpaulshouston.org), with a special designation to support the Music & Fine Arts ministry; or an animal rescue organization of your choice.