Sylvia Garner

Sylvia Ann Garner, 82, of Elizabethtown passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at her home. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Johnson and Eula M. Johnson, her husband, Jackie M. Garner Sr., one grandson, Jake Wicker, and one sister, Linda Streeter. Sylvia is survived by two sons, Mark Garner (Tammy) of Elizabethtown, Madison Garner of Elizabethtown; one daughter, Marie Wicker (Nick) of Chesapeake, VA; five grandchildren: Justin Garner, Jessica Garner Priest, Mia Wicker, MacKenzie Wicker and Heather Shaw and eight great grandchildren.

Sylvia was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  She was born and raised in Sanford, N.C. with her two sisters and brother by her mother, where she graduated from Central High School in Sanford in 1956. She attended Highsmith Hospital School of Nursing in Fayetteville, NC and graduated in 1959 as a registered RN.  Sylvia met her husband in Fayetteville and move to Elizabethtown, NC where they started their farm and it continues to this day. Sylvia worked many different nursing jobs during her nursing career in Bladen County including nurse at Bladen County Hospital, Director of Nursing at Elizabethtown Nursing Center, Director of Nursing at formerly Len Care Nursing Home, teacher for Bladen Community College’s CNA program and nurse for Lower Cape Fear Hospital. Sylvia enjoyed cooking, sewing, tending to flowers and plants in her yard, gardening and playing the piano.  Sylvia may not have been raised in Bladen County, but she adopted it as her home and loved the work that allowed her to meet so many wonderful citizens in the community. Her infectious smile and laugh will forever be remembered.

Sylvia requested for expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to Lower Cape Fear LifeCenter, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC  28401

The family will hold a graveside service at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 23rd at Bladen Memorial Gardens in Elizabethtown with Rev. Clarence “Tony” Corbett officiating. Attendees are asked to practice social distancing.