Sylvia Searles Elam

December 15, 1953 - December 9, 2021

SEARLES ELAM, Sylvia Edwardine (“Chibbie”) On December 9, 2021, in her 67th year, Sylvia was set free and passed on to our Father’s heavenly home. Sylvia is lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her husband, Kenneth Elam, sister, Marjorie and her two nieces, Trina and Davleen. Sylvia is predeceased by her parents Edsworth and Kathleen Searles (nee Skeete) and her sister, Kathleen Bailey (nee Searles). She will be sadly missed by her aunts, countless cousins, godchildren and friends that span the globe. Sylvia was a highly respected and active leader in Toronto’s Black community and was key in establishing and cementing the community’s identity in the Canadian landscape. She was a devoted public servant and passionate educator. Sylvia was also a very active and dedicated member of Northeast Florida Campers. Sylvia lived each day filled with positivity and happiness and made it her mission to share that with everyone she met. Your only option was to smile when you were in her presence. She loved to travel but her passion was staying connected and spending time with family and friends. She was the glue that kept us all together. Sylvia will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know her. The family will receive relatives and friends for visitation on Friday December 17, 2021 at Baldauff Family Funeral Home, 1233 Saxon Blvd, Orange City, Florida from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. A celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held on Tuesday December 21, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Alexander Rothwell Funeral Home, 6447 Route 25A, Wading River, New York followed by internment at Calverton National Cemetery, Wading River, New York. In lieu of flowers, we (Kenneth, Marjorie, Trina and Davleen) request that her memory and legacy be continued by donating to the Canadian Red Cross or the American Red Cross. At a future date, a second celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held in Toronto, Canada to share stories and fellowship. Remember her smile, remember her laugh, and remember to live life as she would have wanted us to.