On Friday, June 5, 2015 at 1 o'clock a.m., Sylvia Lee Bateman Booth's Savior and Heavenly Father welcomed her into her new home in Heaven. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends after an extended illness. Born January 26, 1947, in Roanoke, VA, she was a daughter of the late Robert Lee Bateman and Mossie Collins Bateman.

Sylvia grew up in Sanford, Florida and graduated from Seminole High School in 1965. She dedicated her life to the education of children. Sylvia earned a BS degree from Valdosta State College, Valdosta, GA and her Master's degree from Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. She taught for two years in her home town. After marriage, she was employed by the DeKalb County school system for 30 years, retiring in 1999. She specialized in grades one through eight. During the latter part of her career, she travelled to several different schools instructing gifted children.

Mrs. Booth was a member of Shandon Baptist Church and was active in Sunday school, serving as a care group leader and volunteering for numerous church projects. Sylvia was an avid reader, was addicted to playing golf, loved to travel and enjoyed long walks with the dogs on the antebellum plantation where she lived. She and her close friends were designated "black belts" in shopping.

She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Deryl R. Booth of Eastover; sister, Kaye Bateman Warner (Lyman) of Sanford, FL; half-brothers, Robert Bateman of Frederick, MD, and Donnie Wayne Taylor of Sanford, FL.

The funeral service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Booth will be held 11:30 o'clock, Monday, June 8th, at Shandon Baptist Church with The Rev. L. Barry Gray and The Rev. Jerry Long officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10:30 at The Gathering Place, Shandon Baptist Church. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to Shandon Baptist Church, 5250 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC 29206 or to Connie Maxwell Children's Home, PO Box 1178, Greenwood, SC 29648-9989.