Sylvia Elizabeth Sloan Raiford

Sylvia Elizabeth Sloan Raiford, 76, of Atlanta, died peacefully at home Thursday, July 13, 2017, with her daughter and her dear friend at her side. Sylvia was born July 19, 1940, in Atlanta, Ga, to the late William Crawford and Beulah Lucille Keith Sloan. In addition to her parents, Sylvia was preceded in death by her former husband, Thomas Conaway Raiford, Jr., her siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Sylvia graduated from Druid Hills High School, earned a Bachelor’s from West Georgia College, a Master’s from Atlanta University, and an ESOL certificate from Georgia State University. She was a DeKalb County Reading Specialist and ESOL teacher until she retired from Evansdale Elementary School where she taught for over two decades.

Before a Parkinson's diagnosis in 1993, Sylvia enjoyed birding at Fernbank Science Center, traveling with other teachers to destinations such as Cumberland Island and Denali National Park, and taking continuing education courses through Emory University. She was active at Wieuca Road Baptist Church and then Peachtree Presbyterian Church for many years. Sylvia especially loved the Lewis Grizzard and Hee Haw days, attending performances at Chastain and the Alliance Theater, chocolate (especially a Toblerone, Butterfinger or a Hershey’s bar with almonds), her grand-cats and foster kittens, holiday themed attire, a Varsity chili dog and onion rings, singing hymns with Bonnie, visiting with neighbors and other assisted living residents, and watching Judge Judy. (She never did fully recover from the ending of The Oprah Show.) An avid reader, Sylvia took the Wall Street Journal and the AJC, reading both cover to cover for many years. She enjoyed her many newspapers, magazines, catalogs and books and was always on watch for another periodical to add to her stack of reading material. Later in life, she became the Turner Classic Movie channel's biggest fan.

Battling Parkinson's with her radiant smile, humor and grace, Sylvia's life was tough, but so was she.

Sylvia is survived by her daughter, Holly Marie Raiford, of Decatur, for whom she sacrificed greatly and loved fiercely. She is also survived by loving cousins, extended family and lifelong friends.

There will be a private celebration of Sylvia's life. Her remains will be scattered along the creek which runs behind the home where she raised her daughter.

Her daughter wishes to acknowledge with sincere appreciation the Safe Haven and Medlock Gardens caregivers and the Emory Movement Disorders team who cared for and loved her Mom through the years.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.