Sylvia Love

1936 - 2024

Sylvia Powell Love, 88 years of age, passed away peacefully at her home in Memphis, Tennessee on Saturday, August 24, 2024.

Sylvia was born July 26, 1936 in Memphis, Tennessee to the late James and Idelle Moore Powell. She was the oldest of two children. Growing up in Midtown, Sylvia attended Snowden Elementary and then graduated from Central High School in 1954. She attended Wheaton College in Illinois and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature in 1959.

Sylvia met the late Farris Joe Love while working at the library at Memphis State University, and they were married in June 1969 by Dr. Robert G. Lee at Bellevue Baptist Church. Sylvia and Joe later welcomed 2 daughters, Lisa and Jolee. Sylvia taught Sunday School at Bellevue for many years and attended church every Sunday. She loved reading and studying her bible, and praying for and with others. She also loved music: she grew up playing the piano, and loved dressing up and going to the Metropolitan Opera in Memphis with her parents and brother, Jimmy Powell. She also loved listening to classical music and hearing the pipe organ on Sunday mornings at Bellevue Baptist in Midtown. She loved working puzzles with her friends, watching a good classic mystery, and solving word puzzles. She had a gentle and kind presence with a wonderfully dry sense of humor. She loved spending time with her family and dogs. Sylvia was a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, neighbor, and friend who will be missed by us all.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Love, and her parents, James and Idelle Powell. She is survived by her daughters, Lisa Love and Jolee Love, her beloved "poochie woochie" Brownie, and her brother Jimmy (Barbara) Powell.

Thank you to everyone who cared for Mom, especially her 2 caregivers, Elaine Cheatham and Debra Neely. Your dedication and love for Mom for the last 3 plus years has meant the world to us.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, August 30 at 1:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home followed by a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119. (901) 767-8930.