Sylvia Jaclyn Lewis

On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Sylvia Jaclyn Lewis, mother of five daughters, passed away at the age of 89, just four weeks shy of her 90th birthday.

Jackie was born on September 21, 1935 to G.S. and Hazel Graham. She grew up in Skirum, Alabama and enjoyed an idyllic country upbringing with her loving parents, three siblings, and a bunch of extended family living just down the road. She and her younger brother Jerry had the run of the countryside and got into a lot of mischief together. As a young girl, mom was a tomboy who loved playing outside, sandlot baseball, digging in the dirt, and making frog houses out of mud. She was admired by folks for her long, jet black hair. She enjoyed going to school in Crossville and was a member of the cheerleading squad in high school. She was not afraid of much except for spiders, which remained her mortal enemies for life.

Growing up, mom had a special relationship with her older sister. Violet was a loving second mom to Jackie, always bringing her pretty clothes, making sure she was dressed properly, and throwing her fancy birthday parties. When she came home to Skirum, Violet made cardboard prints of Mom’s feet so she could buy her new shoes in Birmingham. Mom had special memories of sharing a room with Violet in Birmingham during the war, and giggling with her under the covers late at night when Violet came home from her wartime defense job. This close relationship continued throughout their lives. I’m not sure anyone loved her big sister the way Mom loved Violet.

As a young adult, Jackie moved to Birmingham and took a secretarial job. While living there at Ms. Dickey’s boarding house, she met a young aspiring engineer named Bill Lewis. He was a charmer and bowled her over with gifts, including her very own radio. He and Jackie were married October 26th, 1957. During his career, Bill was transferred to a new location every couple of years, so they lived in various states. They raised five daughters: Leigh Ann, Lori Angelee, Lita Allison, Lizabeth Amy, and Larissa Allyn.

After their first daughter was born, Bill and Jackie started to attend church in Beaverton, Oregon. After studying the Bible with Ben Shropshire, they both were baptized into Christ. Becoming a Christian was a truly pivotal moment for her, and Jackie served God to her utmost through often challenging times. She took great pleasure in being a mom, excellent cook, and homemaker. She learned to sew and made pretty dresses for her girls. She was unfailingly hospitable and helpful to her friends, family, and church. She had a clever and self-deprecating sense of humor which made her a pleasure to talk with, and originated many notable family one-liners. Her faith was deeply important to her, and she was a cherished member of Jordan Park Church of Christ. She was an enthusiastic quilter and loved putting her prodigious collection of scraps together for future quilts. She did her father and sister proud by always being a snappy dresser and took great pains to look her best. She lived by our female family maxim, “Casually Elegant, Vogue Yet Comfortable”. She never willingly went anywhere without wearing lipstick.

Jackie was delighted to be the world’s best Gramma to a large number of lucky grandchildren and great grandchildren. She created wonderful memories with them all, reading them books, doing crafts, making them homemade play doh and baking her coveted sugar cookies. She enjoyed a mid-life career as a beloved Montessori style pre-school teacher and worked until she was 70. After retiring, her chief joys in life continued to be family, working in her yard, being hospitable, enjoying trips, killing spiders, and being an active part of her church.

Jackie was preceded in death by her father Glasco Silvia, her mother Hazel, her older sister Violet, her older brother James, her younger brother Jerry, and her ex-husband Bill. She is survived by her five daughters, Leigh, Lori, Lita, Liz, and Larissa, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

A funeral service for friends and family will be held on Sunday, August 24, at 1 PM at Legacy Chapel Funeral Home, 16 Hughes Road, Madison, Alabama 35758. A private graveside burial service will follow at Skirum United Methodist Church Cemetery, 2999 County Road 20, Crossville AL 35962.