Sylvia Smith began life in Washington, DC on August 26, 1942. Sylvia went to school in the District of Columbia and graduated from McKinley Tech Senior High School. Immediately after graduation she went to Mary Washington Nursing School. Sylvia became a Nurse and worked in that field for five years. In 1971 Syliva entered into the Computer Science field and her career took flight. From the U.S. Department of Labor, to the Department of the Army where she served for 20 years and received numerous accommodations stating that her performance reflected great credit upon her, the Command, and the United States Army. Sylvia took her Computer Programing skills to the Department of Housing and Urban Development where she tirelessly retired in 1998.

Sylvia accepted the Lord at an early age and she was baptized and received Conformation within the Roman Catholic Church. It was also during this time Sylvia met and married the late Leon Smith in 1968. Sylvia joined Largo Community Church over 20 years ago and has served faithfully and willingly. Her faithfulness included teaching Wednesday Morning Bible Study, the Drama, Dance and Bereavement Ministries. Sylvia developed so many friendships during this time from these ministries; these members became like family. Sylvia's family has met and feels free to call on this church family members as needed.

Sylvia was the eldest of seven siblings. We believed she was the Model for the World of "BIG SISTER". Even though she was the smallest of all of us, she towered above us in all she did. Her Mighty Spirit guided us through good times as well as bad. She was the greatest Story Teller. Every time she began a story there as a collective sigh because we all knew it was going to take some time. Sylvia was our Intercessor to Life and real-life situations that siblings are just not prepared for. God prepared Sylvia to be our She(ro). Syliva stands the tallest among us although she was the smallest in stature. She ruled the six being the first of seven, the number of completion.

Sylvia departed this life on Sunday, January 12, 2020, in body. Her spirit will continue to live on until we see her later on her side of Glory and our spirits connect one more time, we will love you forever.

It was just like Sylvia to be the first to be born and the first to lead in leaving this life. Sylvia was preceded by her parents the late Helen and Carl Surratt. Sylvia leaves to cherish her life: Micheal Nelson (son) Monica Smith (daughter) Kaylin Edmonds and Setorie Nelson (grandchildren) Olivia, Gwendolyn (Jeffrey) and Margo, sisters: Tyrone, Harold, and Deon (brothers) Cousin Pat, who as much a sister any, cousins, and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and her Largo Community Church family.