Sylvia L. Ross (Bolden)

Sylvia Lea Ross (Bolden) went to her eternal reward on Christmas day, 2016. She said she wanted to be in heaven in time to attend Jesus birthday party. In her last days she was surrounded by her family as she transitioned from her earthly vessel in exchange for her new body in heaven.Sylvia was born on Dec 6, 1937 an early Christmas present for her father Walter, Mother Fern, and older brothers Bill and Barry.After graduating from Cherryvale high school, she attended nursing school in Halstead, KS where she met love of her life, John Ross. Once married, John Sylvia embarked on a lifelong adventure of serving their Lord. At different times in their lives they lived in Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, serving in different capacities at each stop. They also served as missionaries 7 years in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and later, 3 years in Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo).They were blessed with four children: John, Janet, Joy, and Jean. They were each encouraged by their mother to be servants of God, by using their unique gifts for others. She instilled in her children a love of reading and the importance of hard work. She also had many nieces and nephews, many of whom became like her own children. Some of her happiest memories were of family gatherings over a deck of cards, or a board game over a pan of hello dollies.Sylvia modeled the servant"s heart by working as a nurse for over 50 years. As a nurse on the mission field, she brought healing to the body as well as the soul of those under her care. She also taught the healing arts and the love of the Lord to African men and women in the local nursing assistant program. Over the course of her nursing career, she worked in many different nursing specialties. She ended her nursing career as a school nurse, a position she said was one of her most rewarding.As a missionary, Sylvia spent time teaching the African women about household skills like sewing and child care. She also taught nursing skills in the nursing assistant program at Mashoko Mission in Zimbabwe. She served as the mission bookkeeper while in Zaire and helped at the orphanage with the children.Sylvia loved music, especially the hymns of faith. In her last days, her children comforted her by singing them to her and she often joined in when she was able. She sang with choirs or small groups at her local churches. She even incorporated music into her household chores, singing "I Need Thee Every Hour" while making bread. She loved to hear her brother Bill play the piano, or her brother Dennis sing with his quartet. Often at family gatherings, we would stand around the piano and sing while Bill played.Known for her hospitality but not for her cooking, there was always a place at her table for one more and it was often filled. If you knew her in time, you became like one of her children. She was always willing to help out and give a hand up, if you were willing to do your part. Advice was always available, even if you didn"t want it. Often to our chagrin she was proven right.She was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Fern Bolden. She is survived by her husband John of the home, her four children, 6 grandchildren, brothers, many nieces and nephews and more friends than she could number.Celebration of Life Funeral Services will be held 10:00 A.M., Friday, December 30, 2016 at Thayer Christian Church. Thayer, Kansas.The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Thursday, December 29, 2016 at the church.Graveside services will be held 3:30"P.M., Friday, December 30, 2016 in Valley Township Cemetery in Haven, Kansas.Memorial remembrances are suggested to a mission or missionary of the donors choice and they may be left or mailed to Wickham Family Funeral Home, 216 East 4th, Cherryvale, Kansas" 67335.