Sylvia Jean Jones Workman

Biography: SYLVIA JEAN JONES WORKMAN was born on January 3, 1934 in Goldthwaite, Mills County, Texas to Farris and Lavera Jones. She attended Goldthwaite schools and graduated as salutatorian from high school in 1951. She moved to San Antonio to attend business school. In 1952 Sylvia was employed by United Gas Pipe Line Company where she met the love of her life, Richard Edwards Workman. They were married on August 24, 1957.

Shortly thereafter she left the employment of UGPL Company and became a homemaker. Sylvia was an active bowler and participated in several leagues including one with the company. She enjoyed cooking, decorating, and sewing. Sylvia also excelled at making flower arrangements and bows for packages. Family members always knew which Christmas presents were from her due to her beautiful bows.

First daughter Pamela Jean was born on October 24, 1958 and on November 28, 1960, second daughter Melanie Marie was born.

UGPL Company moved Richard, Sylvia and the girls to Metarie, Louisiana in the summer of 1968. In the fall of 1970, the company moved the family back to Texas to Houston. In New Orleans and in Houston, Sylvia continued to participate in women's bowling leagues.

Shortly after arriving in Houston, Richard and Sylvia placed membership at Fair Haven United Methodist Church. Sylvia was very active in United Methodist Women. She served on the UMW board and was president several times. For many years she led in the food preparation and table decorations of the monthly Golden Years luncheons. She also participated in the Chancel Choir. In 2002 Sylvia had a severe illness that required major surgery and was in the hospital for several months. This situation caused her to scale back her volunteering with UMW but she remained on the board in various roles.

In September 2010 she entered the hospital with an abdominal hematoma. The doctors eventually determined that she had bone cancer. Sylvia passed from this life on the morning of Saturday, December 4, 2010. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Richard; daughters Pam and husband, Bob Lanham, and Melanie and husband, Mike Martin; her grandchildren Ryan Martin and fiancé, Amy Boarman, Tiffany and husband, Ryan Eastman, and Jennifer Lanham; and her great-granddaughter, Kylie Eastman.

Obituary: SYLVIA J. WORKMAN was born on Wednesday, January 3, 1934 in Goldthwaite, Texas and died on Saturday, December 4, 2010 in Houston, Texas.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents Farris and Lavera Jones. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Richard E. Workman; daughters Pam and husband Bob Lanham and Melanie and husband Mike Martin; three grandchildren Ryan Martin and fiancé Amy Boarman, Tiffany and husband Ryan Eastman, and Jennifer Lanham; and great-granddaughter Kylie Eastman; sister Joan and husband Robert Davenport and brother Walt Jones and wife Carlene; and many other dear relatives and friends.

A memorial service was held at 1:30 PM on Thursday, December 16, 2010, at Fair Haven United Methodist Church, 1330 Gessner Road, Houston, Texas 77055, where a host of friends gathered to share their memories of Sylvia at a reception in the Fellowship Hall.

For those desiring, memorial contributions would be greatly appreciated to the ongoing ministries at Fair Haven United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.