Sylvia B. Myers

Saturday, November 27 was a mild fall day in 1943. A lot was going on in the family home in Gary, Indiana. Oliver and Flonnie were enthusiastically preparing to receive their 3rd child. Another daughter, affectionately named Sylvia Obera (also her mother’s middle name) entered the Bradley household that morning and was greeted by her parents, sisters Mae and Treacie, and paternal aunt, Lela Beck Stewart.

Sylvia enjoyed an active, playful childhood with her siblings, cousins Sharon and Edith Chandler, “L’il George” Peterson and neighborhood friends Ernestine Grant and Sandra Butler. Sylvia, Treacie and Mae didn’t hesitate to climb the apple tree and retrieve the fruit for their “mama” to make pies and jelly. They also picked grapes so she could make jelly and wine. “Daddy” and “Paw” (paternal grandfather) owned the Ice House and an older Sylvia often worked selling ice, pop, charcoal and kerosene. At four years young, Sylvia was enrolled at a place called The Hut where she began her kindergarten studies. From there she temporarily attended classes at Saint Timothy Community Church until it was time to enroll at Roosevelt High School. She graduated a proud Roosevelt Panther with the class of ’61! Sylvia continued her formal education obtaining a bachelor's degree from Purdue University Calumet and a master’s degree from Indiana University of South Bend.

Her employment record includes working in the laboratory at Methodist Hospital in Gary, Gary Community School Corporation, and South Bend Community School Corporation at John Adams High School. She was known as a very efficient and knowledgeable head librarian helping both students and faculty in their research efforts. She also served as a historian researching Ervin (maternal) family history. Anyone who really knows Sylvia agrees she showed powerful personality traits. Being candid, dependable, feisty, straight forward and well-organized aptly describe who she was. Sylvia attended an educational conference at Purdue University Calumet and was approached by another attendee, a gentleman named Edward Myers (now deceased), who exhibited an interest in her and her career ambitions. Eventually, they exchanged wedding vows and became loving parents to Jeffrey Oliver and Allison Marie. Brought up in Christ Temple Church of Christ, Holiness in Gary, she also attended Grace A.M.E. Zion Church in South Bend. She actively participated in organizations and committees within both congregations. Sylvia always showed an affinity towards her nieces and nephews. She extended abundant care, attention and discipline to her first niece, Pamla, whom she also regarded as a younger sister, and to the late Candace Smith.

Sylvia’s extended family includes stepchildren Gwendolyn, the late Edward Jr. “Bubba”, Janelle, Douglas, Charlotte (Kevin), Regina and several grandchildren. Those who sadly feel the void since Sylvia’s transition are: son Jeffrey Oliver (Rev. Manikka Bowman) Myers and Allison (Pastor Andre Sr.) Wells; grandchildren Akira, Andréus, Zora, Aidan and Zyla; Sisters: Mae (Robert) Scott and Treacie Smith. Also feeling her absence are nieces Pam (Art) Hughes, Erica Smith, Dr. Jennifer Scott Perkins, and nephews; Robert (Lisa) Scott, Bradley (Suzette) Scott and Yehoshua (Kahsahdyah and Naomi) Israel; life-long friends Susan Watkins and Katherine Dawa. In addition, she is significantly missed by many cousins, church family, in-laws and friends.

We invite you to leave your memories and upload photos of Sylvia to the memorial page as a tribute to her impactful life and the countless lives she touched.

Services for Mrs. Myers will be held on Saturday September 16, 2023 in the chapel of Alford’s Mortuary, 1222 Napier Street, South Bend, IN 46601. Friends may visit with the family an hour prior. Reverend Andre Wells, Sr. will bring the word. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Arrangements have been lovingly entrusted with Alford’s Mortuary Inc. 

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