Sylvia Gearheart Albert, 89, of Salem, died on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.
She was the daughter of Florence Smith Gearheart and Coy Harvey Gearheart, and was also predeceased by her husband, John Edward Albert Jr.; sisters, Dorothy Gearheart Boardman, Margaret Gearheart Watson; an infant; brother, Samuel Coy Gearheart; nephews, Gary Lynn Gearheart and Terri Steven Gearheart; and a niece, Brenda Ann Gearheart.
Surviving are her brothers, James Ray Gearheart (Fumi), and David Wayne Gearheart (Carol). She is also survived by a niece, Kathryn Ann Boardman (Carol); and a nephew, Coy Wayne Gearheart.
Sylvia was born on February 24, 1930, in Montgomery County and married John (Jack) Albert in Salem on November 26, 1949. They met while working as staff at Natural Bridge, traveled to Minnesota and returned to live in Staunton, Roanoke, Botetourt County and Salem. Together they enjoyed many hours of gardening, traveling, caring for family and friends, and caretaking the Gearheart Cemetery.
Sylvia worked with Eve Boardman at Eve’s Antique Shop in Troutville and assisted in mission activities of Episcopal churches in Southwest Virginia. She excelled in golf, winning a Roanoke City- County women’s tournament in 1962 and playing with the Virginia Women’s Golf Team. Sylvia won awards for her flower arrangements and precise needlework. As an untiring genealogist, she produced numerous reports for her family and many research centers. Sylvia was known by her broad smile, quick wit and welcome table.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, at Oakey’s North Chapel, Roanoke. A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 17, at the Gearheart Cemetery on Trooper Lane in the hamlet of Reesedale in Montgomery County. The Rev. Mary Mackin officiated with a homily by Dr. David Dixon and hymns by Kathryn Boardman.
Donations may be made to the Gearheart Cemetery Fund with checks marked “Gearheart Cemetery Fund” payable to Dennis P. Spangler, Treasurer, 1781 Garlick Road, Elliston, 24087. Donations may also be made to Good Samaritan Hospice, http://www.goodsamhospice.org/. Online condolences may be expressed at www.oakeys.com.
