Sylva Ann Atkin

Ann was born in Springfield, MO on June 27, 1934. She grew up in Monet, MO where her father worked for the Frisco Railroad. She had fond memories of her youth growing up traveling the rails with her parents. She starting singing and playing piano at a young age, becoming the accompanist for her school choir in high school. She continued to follow her passion for singing throughout her entire life with multiple church choirs, community choirs, and the Don Accurso Orchestra in her later years. She even declined an invitation from Porter Wagner to be one of his backup singers to become a wife and mother. She married Robert B. Atkin in September, 1954 and lived in Oak Grove, MO where they had their first child, John, the following year. Steve followed in 1957 and the family moved to Rolla, MO where Robert became the Superintendent of Schools. DiAnne was added to the family and in 1968, the family moved to North Kansas City, MO. Ann resumed her education getting a B.A. in Elementary Education in 1972 and received her M.A. in Education in 1976. The family moved to Raytown, MO in 1975 and she began teaching sixth grade in 1976 in the Hickman Mills School District. She was a pioneer in Gifted Education for the state of Missouri and retired from full time teaching in 1994. She continued part time as an Adjunct Professor at Central State University, Warrensburg, MO, teaching other teachers in Gifted Education for several years. She and Bob loved to travel and had many memorable trips all over the world, including a month in Russia in the late 1970’s on an education exchange and a Safari in Africa. In her later years, she continued to sing any chance she could, was very active in her church and enjoyed life at Bishop Spencer on the Plaza and John Knox Village.

She was preceded in death by her son, John Richard, in 2010 and her husband, Robert Byron, in 2018.

The survivors are her son Steven Paul, her daughter DiAnne and her cousin William Knox of California.

Visitation will be at Floral Hills Funeral Home on September 25, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to RSECC Teaching and Learning Grants, Raytown Educational Foundation, 10750 E 350 Highway, Raytown, MO 64138.