Sylvia Mobley

Sylvia Marie Atwell was born on August 5, 1972. She was adopted by E.R. (Butch) and Ann Ridgway on March 23, 1976 and was welcomed as Sylvia Ann Ridgway. The family moved back to Fairfax that year where she spent most of the remainder of her life. In 1981 Sylvia and Ann united with John Paul Martin and his son, Paul Wade and became the Martin family and later gained a new sister, Molly.

As a youngster she attended church with her Grandma Cleo Palmer and spent many days at her house. On occasion, Uncle Lloyd would come home for a visit and there was always time for many games of dominos. Sylvia accepted Jesus as her Savior and was baptized in the First Osage Baptist church in 1980.

Sylvia attended school in Fairfax and graduated with the first Woodland Cougar class of 1991. During her school career she was active in Mrs. Parker's drama productions and developed a love for drama and music. She took piano and voice lessons and loved singing. Venita Trisdale formed a group of young girls in the Christian Church consisting of Stacy and Tracy Hughes, Buffie and Shauna Caylor, and Sylvia who performed at church and other religious events. She tried out and was accepted in the “Highest Praise” group at the Ozark Bible College in Joplin Missouri and participated the summers of her Sophomore and Junior years. This group stayed at the college and practiced their music for 1 week and then performed at several different churches the second week.

In January 1990 she became the mother of Schuylar Raes. In February 1993 she added Rebecca Dawn Carter. In 1994 Sylvia and  Becca united with Tim Ellis and added to their family Michelle Renae in October 1997 and William Connor in April 2000.

On July 13, 2012 Sylvia and Gary Mobley were married, combining their two families, they lived a happy life together. For several years they were involved in activities at the Christian Church and were devoted to the music department.

Sylvia was fortunate in her adult years to find her birth father, Harold Atwell and discovered she had several additional siblings. She had the opportunity to spend time with them and rekindle a relationship.

Sylvia always had room in her home for an extended family including Erica Pearl Warner, Breanna Arlene Phillips, Hollie Jean Thompson, Dakota Louanne Dysart, and Andrea Munoz.             ,
She enjoyed being a wife, mother, and grandmother to Alaina Michelle Hentges, Carsen LeAnn Riff,
Ellen Lashana Hendrix, Jack Miles Frederick Phillips, Madilyn Marie Thompson, Wade and Kierra Davis.

Sylvia is survived by her husband of nine years Gary Lee; her children Schuylar Raes, Rebecca Dawn (Zack) Riff,  Michelle Renae Ellis (Mike Zito), and William Connor Ellis. Her siblings Paul (Loree) Martin and children Josh and Ashley; Molly (Russell) Staples and children Emma and Titan. Her seven grandchildren; her ex-husband and dear friend Tim Ellis, and his mother Mary Ellis. Nancy and Grover Denlinger and Russell Mobley; her parents John and Ann Martin. She is also survived by countless cousins, and numerous friends.

Feel free to leave a favorite memory or sign Sylvia’s online guestbook at: www.hunsakerwootenfuneralhome.com