Sylvia Dean Dillard born May 12, 1934, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Fort Smith, Arkansas on October 19, 2023. Sylvia was born to Drew and Mamie Cox of Rock Island, Oklahoma. Sylvia grew up with three brothers and four sisters, where they worked to help support the family in the cotton fields. Sylvia played basketball throughout school, where in the 8th grade she was able to play on the varsity team in Hackett.
She soon met the love of her life, Homer Dillard in the winter of 1948. They were married November 19, 1949, by the late reverend Earl Peoples. Together, they had four daughters, Wilma, Cheryl, Brenda, and Glenda. Sylvia stood alongside Homer throughout his time in the United States Navy in Hawaii. While in Hawaii, Sylvia gave birth to Wilma and Cheryl. After returning to Arkansas, Sylvia was a homemaker and gave birth to twins, Brenda and Glenda. She and her husband enjoyed having their daughters and their families to their house for fish fries. Every year they would go fishing at Lake Hinkle. Sylvia enjoyed going camping, crappie fishing, sewing, quilting, cooking, baking her famous apple pie and peach cobbler, antiquing, watching westerns, going on drives, and enjoying chocolate milkshakes. She and her husband were devoted Christians at Faith Baptist Church of Jenny Lind. She resided at her home in Rye Hill in the years prior to her passing.
Sylvia is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Homer Lee Dillard; parents, Drew and Mamie Cox; brothers, Robert Lee, Harold Franklin, and James Loyd Cox; sisters, Betty June (Cox) Tankersley, Clara May Dow, Ruby Fay Kozderka, and Geraldine Pat Tankersley.
Sylvia is survived by her daughters, Wilma Montgomery and husband, Larry, Cheryl Garrett and husband, James, Brenda Rhyne and husband, Billy, Glenda Doss and husband, Mike; grandchildren, Curtis Hearn and wife, Brenda, Terry Hearn, Jon and Rick Montgomery, Travis Garrett and wife, Jennifer, Whitney Overbey and husband, John, Shane Doss and wife, Lori and Allen Doss and wife, Tara; great grandchildren, Tyler, Jessica, and Sonja Hearn, Kali, Cara, Rex, Austin and Justin Hearn, Marlie and Lincoln Hearn, Miles, Juliana, Orion, Joslyn and Gain Montgomery, Eli and Kaylee Garrett, Aubrey and Abigail Overbey, Michael and Cole Doss, Cortlyn and Peyton Doss; great great grandchildren, Kimber, Loren, Jackson, Baylor and Abel and many loving nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, October 23 at Faith Baptist Church in Jenny Lind with burial at Old Jenny Lind Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Sunday from 1-5 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5-7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Curtis and Terry Hearn, Travis Garrett, John Overbey, Shane and Allen Doss. Honorary pallbearer will be Michael Doss.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
