Name: Visitation for Sylvia M. McElveen
Start: 2021-09-08T16:30:00.000Z
End: 2021-09-08T18:00:00.000Z
Location: Lexington Baptist Church

Sylvia M. McElveen
September 19, 1947 - August 31, 2021
Lexington, South Carolina - Sylvia M. McElveen went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 31, 2021. Sylvia was born on September 19, 1947, to Marshall Artist and Letha McCracken, in Conway, SC. Sylvia is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Shirley Faircloth; and her husband, Milton "Jay" McElveen.
Sylvia McElveen grew up in Conway, SC, where she graduated from Conway High School. This is where she met her husband of 47 years, Milton "Jay" McElveen. After marriage, they moved to Columbia and Sylvia made her career working for SC Department of Transportation, where she retired in October 2006 as the Executive Assistant to the State Chief Engineer. Sylvia was an active member and Sunday School teacher at Temple Baptist Church of Columbia before moving to Lexington, SC and becoming a member of Lexington Baptist Church. She was an active member of her Sunday School class and volunteered in the church office and at the Family Life Center. She loved spending time and volunteering with the Lexington Baptist Seniors Group.
While Sylvia's top priorities in life were her faith and her family, she always enjoyed working in her yard and had a lot of love for her Clemson Tigers! Sylvia will be remembered as the kindest and sweetest lady who was beloved by her community. She will be deeply missed by all of her friends and family.
Sylvia leaves behind her daughter, Teena Lankford (David); granddaughter, Jade Nowak (Eric); her soon to be great-grandson; sister, Bonnie Graham (Phil); nieces, Pam O'Riley (Jim) and Katherine Buffkin; nephews, Brad Graham and Bobby Faircloth; and five great-nieces and great-nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Lexington Baptist Church, 308 E. Main Street, Lexington. Visitation will begin prior to the service at 12:30pm at the church. A graveside service will follow at Celestial Memorial Gardens, 3111 Delree Street, West Columbia.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Missions Ministry or the Sr. Adult Ministry of Lexington Baptist Church, 308 E. Main Street, Lexington, SC 29072.

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Published by The State on Sep. 5, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Sylvia McElveen

6 Entries

Shirley Anderson

September 16, 2024

Today, it is just as painful as when I first received the news. It doesn´t get any better as you miss them just the same but, you learn to accept this is the reality. I cannot even begin to imagine how Tina, Jade and other members of the family feel. Sylvia continues to mean a lot to us all. She´s never alone as she has Jay right by her side. She had a great spirit and I have no doubts it continues in the family who are here today. I send you prayers for continued peace.

Shirley Anderson

September 8, 2021

It has taken me a long time to put down my feelings and memory of Sylvia McElveen because it hurt so much and I wanted to do right by her. It felt like the time I lost my mother and I could not sleep. She was the Executive Assistant to Don Freeman the State Highway Engineer at the time. She was my first supervisor at SCDOT and along with Don gave me the opportunity to start my career at the agency. It was a great atmosphere. Throughout the years, she was not just my supervisor but became a dear friend. In many ways she was like a second mother, giving words of wisdom when sought but never forcing her opinions on anyone. What I remember most about her is her voice, almost like a lilt and it always had the sound of a smile to it. She made her mark in this world by truly living her faith; truly the definition of a righteous Christian life. I think back on one particular day when her husband Jay, who left to be with the Lord this 7th year (and God´s perfect number) came to pick her up and how they interacted with each other. It was love, laughter; just perfect harmony and to be honest, quite beautiful. And I remember thinking this is how a marriage should be with God at the center of everything, the rest just falls into place. We would talk about all sorts of topics our faith, our children and the world. She was so proud of her daughter Teena, her resilience and determination, her granddaughter Jade who was always a constant joy to her. She would tell me how much she missed Jay everyday and I would remind her how proud he would be to see how she has thrived through her faith. She would laugh and I know she loved to hear it. It simply was the truth. We did ask the question why he had to go, but we acknowledged it was God´s will so there was no further reason to question it as He doesn´t make mistakes. The same fact is here today. I´ll miss hearing her voice when we would check in with each other and because of the pandemic we couldn´t meet for our regular lunches. I´ll miss that Crown Vic she would drive and you could not miss that crown of red hair. "Little Red." She meant a great deal to me and changed my life in many ways because she lived the life our Father in heaven requires of us and that will remain with me for the rest of my life. She is now with Jay (she was convinced he was playing his guitar up in heaven - I have no doubt of it) and as much as I know her leaving hurts her family and all those who loved and respected her we must celebrate that she is with the Lord. She has run the race He required of her. She has been faithful and I have no doubt that she has her name in the Lamb´s Book of Life." She is gone but she left a standard to strive toward. Her legacy, for me is that I too may be worthy of the Book. I miss you Sylvia and I love you. In celebration, please listen to the following songs as they are, to me, a true reflection of Sylvia M. McElveen. Well Done https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-abFh8_kICg Borrowed Angels https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ID21JCqZ0o0

Shirley Anderson

September 6, 2021

It has taken me a long time to put down my feelings and memory of Sylvia McElveen because it hurt so much and I wanted to do right by her. It felt like the time I lost my mother and I could not sleep. She was the Executive Assistant to Don Freeman the State Highway Engineer at the time. She was my first supervisor at SCDOT and along with Don gave me the opportunity to start my career at the agency. It was a great atmosphere. Throughout the years, she was not just my supervisor but became a dear friend. In many ways she was like a second mother, giving words of wisdom when sought but never forcing her opinions on anyone. What I remember most about her is her voice, almost like a lilt and it always had the sound of a smile to it. She made her mark in this world by truly living her faith; truly the definition of a righteous Christian life. I think back on one particular day when her husband Jay, who left to be with the Lord this 7th year (and God´s perfect number) came to pick her up and how they interacted with each other. It was love, laughter; just perfect harmony and to be honest, quite beautiful. And I remember thinking this is how a marriage should be with God at the center of everything, the rest just falls into place. We would talk about all sorts of topics our faith, our children and the world. She was so proud of her daughter Teena, her resilience and determination, her granddaughter Jade who was always a constant joy to her. She would tell me how much she missed Jay everyday and I would remind her how proud he would be to see how she has thrived through her faith. She would laugh and I know she loved to hear it. It simply was the truth. We did ask the question why he had to go, but we acknowledged it was God´s will so there was no further reason to question it as He doesn´t make mistakes. The same fact is here today. I´ll miss hearing her voice when we would check in with each other and because of the pandemic we couldn´t meet for our regular lunches. I´ll miss that Crown Vic she would drive and you could not miss that crown of red hair. "Little Red." She meant a great deal to me and changed my life in many ways because she lived the life our Father in heaven requires of us and that will remain with me for the rest of my life. She is now with Jay (she was convinced he was playing his guitar up in heaven - I have no doubt of it) and as much as I know her leaving hurts her family and all those who loved and respected her we must celebrate that she is with the Lord. She has run the race He required of her. She has been faithful and I have no doubt that she has her name in the Lamb´s Book of Life." She is gone but she left a standard to strive toward. Her legacy, for me is that I too may be worthy of the Book. I miss you Sylvia and I love you.

In celebration, please listen to the following songs as they are, to me, a true reflection of Sylvia M. McElveen.

Well Done
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-abFh8_kICg

Borrowed Angels
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ID21JCqZ0o0

Ted Stambolitis

September 6, 2021

Sylvia, was such a beautiful person. Alway very nice and loving. My deepest condolences. We will miss her immensely. God bless Sylvia and may God comfort her family.

Pauline Elders

September 5, 2021

Teena and family. When I saw this it truly hurt my heart. Sylvia always had a smile for everyone. She was the kindest sweetest person. Know that she was loved by everyone that knew her. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. May God help you get through this very sad time.
With love
Pauline

The Staff of Thompson Funeral Home

September 5, 2021

Offering our deepest sympathies at this time.

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