Alma Catherine Sylvester

Alma Catherine Sullivan Sylvester, 74, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the Levine and Dickson House in Charlotte, NC.

Alma, the daughter of the late Arthur George Sullivan, Jr. and Ethylene Lee Brown Sullivan, was born in Henderson, Texas, and raised near Shreveport, Louisiana. As the daughter of a petroleum engineer, Alma moved frequently in her childhood. She attended each year of high school in a different state, including Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sidney, Nebraska, and Cody, Wyoming, where she graduated. Her sociable nature and dynamic personality helped her forge lasting friendships, and she thrived in her school’s extracurricular activities, particularly plays, yearbook, and journalism.

Alma began her higher education at Southern Methodist University before transferring to the University of Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in Education and was a proud member of Chi Omega. After teaching briefly in Denver, Alma moved to Houston, Texas, where her parents introduced her to David C. Sylvester, who worked for Marathon Oil Company. They were married on June 3, 1978. Together they moved many times, relocating to Robinson, Illinois, London, England, Edwardsville, Illinois, Indianapolis, Indiana, Marietta, Georgia, and Findlay, Ohio. Upon David’s retirement in 2010, they designed and built their dream home on Lake Wylie, South Carolina, and spent many happy years creating cherished memories in the boat and by the pool.

Alma was a member of both Marietta First United Methodist Church and St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Findlay, Ohio. Her life demonstrated intense loyalty to those she loved. During her childhood in Haynesville, LA, she shared numerous adventures with her inseparable companion, her brother Trip. Alma also was extremely artistic and creative, as shown by the imaginative birthday parties she hosted for her daughters and by the elaborate school projects she helped them produce. She had a flair for fashion, always making a statement with the perfect outfit.

Alma cherished her poodles, loved her pearls, had a passion for shoes, and delighted in shopping adventures. She embraced life with joy and generosity.

Alma is survived by her daughters, Elyn Aimée McBride (Ragan) and Alma Mignon Sylvester; grandsons Kellan Paul, Conor Jack Sullivan, and Cole Rian McBride; brother Arthur George Sullivan III; nephew Jeremy Ross Sullivan (Amanda), and their children Molly and Patrick. Her beloved Standard poodles, Charlotte, Tia, and Wylie, are now cared for by her daughter Mignon.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Alma’s life will be held at Greene Funeral Home, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732 on February 26, 2025 at 11:00am. Entombment will follow at Grandview Memorial Park, 620 South Cherry Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732.

Alma’s grace and vivacity will be dearly missed and forever cherished.