Sylvia M. Eads, 97, of Gallatin, passed away December 2, 2014, at the Daviess County Nursing and Rehab. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 6, at McWilliams Funeral Home in Gallatin where friends may call after 11 a.m. Friday. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Prairie Valley Cemetery near Gallatin. Memorials may be made to the Prairie Valley Cemetery or Centenary Cemetery in care of the McWilliams Funeral Home 1329 W. Grand, Gallatin.
Sylvia was born April 5, 1917, in Monroe Township south of Gallatin to James Elbert and Carrie (Turner) Swofford. At age 7 the family moved to the Splawn Ridge community east of Gallatin and she lived in that community for the next 83 years before moving to Gallatin in 2008. In 1935 she graduated from Gallatin High School and was married to Russell John Eads. He preceded her in death on April 6, 1991. They were members of the Gallatin Presbyterian Church.
Sylvia was state president of the Women’s Progressive Farmers Association from 1958 thru 1960.
After raising her family Sylvia worked 26 years as a dealer and manager for Stanley Home Products.
For many years she led a fellowship/worship meeting on Tuesday afternoons for the residents of the Daviess County Nursing home. She loved all people and the elderly were very special to her.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, 3 brothers, Isaac, Donald and James Swofford, sister, Goldie Burns, granddaughter, Kelly Jean Eads and sons-in-law, Tom Harris and Raymond Heman.
Sylvia is survived by her son, Robert Dean Eads and wife Deborah of Independence, daughters, Frances Jean Heman of Green Castle, Mary Ellen Holbrook and husband Bud of Savannah, and Valencia, Calif., and Karen Sue Critten and husband Danny of Gallatin. She has 8 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Online condolences may be left at www.mcwilliamsfuneralhomes.com.
