Sylvia Ann Edwards

Sylvia Ann Edwards obituary, Leesville, LA

Sylvia Ann Edwards

Sylvia Edwards Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Jeane's Funeral Service - Leesville on Sep. 23, 2025.

Publish in a newspaper

Sylvia was born in Leesville, Louisiana on June 19,1945 to the late Jasper Keys and

Sylvia McMarion Keys. Surrounded by love, Sylvia passed away on September 15, 2025,

in Conroe TX at the age of 80.

Sylvia was raised in the church and accepted Christ at an early age. She was a devoted

member of Crisp Chapel Church of God in Christ in Leesville, Louisiana and God's

Temple of Deliverance in Deridder, Louisiana for most of her years, later joining Purpose

Life Community Church in Leesville, Louisiana. Sylvia attended Vernon High School in

Leesville, Louisiana where she graduated as class Valedictorian. After high school,

Sylvia began her career of many roles on Fort Polk from finance to civil service and

ending as Chief of Admin in Engineering where she retired after 33 years of service.

During her career Sylvia received several acknowledgments. In May 1991, Department

of Army officially commended Sylvia on her outstanding actions for organizing,

scheduling and employing the resources of her division to accomplish the many missions

required by Operation Desert Shield/Storm. In September 2000, Department of The

Army presented Sylvia with the Commander's Award for Civilian Service. Sylvia was

the second mother to many of her nieces, nephews, church members and numerous

people in the community and military service members as she loved and cared for

everyone. If anyone needed a prayer, a meal, or a listening ear, she was there. Sylvia's

nickname, so graciously deserving was "Florence Nightingale". Sylvia was an honorary

nurse during everyone's time of need offering the best healing medicine there was,

Prayers. Sylvia sat with countless family members, friends and strangers singing and

praying even at times when she was not feeling well herself. Sylvia loved unselfishly,

which led to her being presented with the 2012 Florence Nightingale Humanitarian

Award during the McMarion-Keys-Duhon-Ware Family Reunion.

Sylvia met and married Robert H. Word and later married Lawrence M. Edwards and she

nursed Lawrence until the day he passed away.

Sylvia loved to sing with her sisters as they traveled to various churches with their father

as children. The Keys children became the Crisp Crusaders, spreading the love of the

Lord to all those that listened.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, Jasper H. Keys and Sylvia Nell McMarion

Keys, husbands, Robert H. Word and Lawrence M. Edwards, and siblings Leese Payton,

Cecillia Keys, Jasper Joseph Keys, and Katherin Keys. Those left to cherish her memory are two

children: daughter, Belinda Walden (San Antionio, Tx) and son, Bobby (Danielle) Word

(Magnolia, Tx); grandchildren, Bianca Word (Alexandria, La.), Morgan Robinson

(Houston, Tx), Bobby Word Jr.(Monroe, La.), Austin Word (Leesville, La.); great

grandchildren, Mariah Robinson and Marcus Washington Jr.; two brothers, Genesis

(Patricia) Keys and Joshua Keys (both of Dallas Tx); three sisters, Beatrice Piper (Baker,

La.), Esther (David) Rabb (Haughton, La.), Princess (Dennis) Copeland (Belton Tx.); and

an abundance of nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Funeral services for Sylvia will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Johnson Temple Church of God in Christ with Pastor Jeff Hannon officiating, and the service will be livestreamed through the church's Facebook page. The burial will follow in the Leesville Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Jeane's Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Sylvia's memory to the Leesville Citywide Singing Convention.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Sylvia Edwards's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

September 27, 2025

Peggy Lee posted to the memorial.

September 24, 2025

Frances Sutton posted to the memorial.

September 23, 2025

Jeane's Funeral Service - Leesville posted an obituary.

2 Entries

Peggy Lee

September 27, 2025

My condolences to your family. Will keep you in prayer. So sorry I was not able to come to services. Sister Edwards was a great friend. We fellowshipped together at Crisp Chapel under Bishop Paul Beasley, Sr. and Bishop Fred Ross, Jr. Those were GREAT TIMES! PRAISE THE LORD! Elder Peggy Lee, DeRidder, La.

Frances Sutton

September 24, 2025

I met Miss Sylvia many years ago at Ft. Polk . I was the first woman to work outside for the telephone company in this area. I met her when I went to her building to do some work . She was one of the first people when I went into her building I met She was so nice to me and she got to talking to me about my job. She was very interested in what I was doing and make it plain I was welcome there. There were other ladies there working and they also treated me with respect. We became friends and every time I saw her she remembered me where ever we saw each other.
I was at her building many times while I worked at Ft. Polk and I always looked forward to seeing and talking to her. After we retired we saw each occasionally and always had good conversations. It was a joy knowing you sweet lady.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results

Jeane's Funeral Service - Leesville

100 E Union St, Leesville, LA 71446

Make a Donation
in Sylvia Edwards's name

How to support Sylvia's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Sylvia Edwards's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sign Sylvia Edwards's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

September 27, 2025

Peggy Lee posted to the memorial.

September 24, 2025

Frances Sutton posted to the memorial.

September 23, 2025

Jeane's Funeral Service - Leesville posted an obituary.