Service
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 | Wake: 10:00 a.m. | Service: 11:00 a.m. |
Abundant Life Church |7305 East Furnace Branch Road| Glen Burnie, MD 21060
Interment
St. Rest Cemetery | 7310 Ridge Road | Hanover, MD 21076
Obituary for Sylvia Matoaka Dotson Wade
In the early hours of June 14, 2022, Sylvia Wade departed this world for a place of perfect happiness, contentment and peace, embraced in the eternal warmth and light of God’s love. We think of her there now, free from her infirmities, welcomed and loved; smiling and radiant with joy to be reunited with her late son, her parents, her siblings and her friends and family who had gone before her.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Sylvia Wade was born on March 22, 1933 in Baltimore, MD, last and the youngest child of the late William and Matoaka Dotson. She attended Anne Arundel County public schools, first at (Furnace Branch School). Staying with her grandparents, she later attended (Cedar Hill School), ultimately finishing her secondary education at Wiley H. Bates High School in Annapolis. Sylvia was a shy and sensitive child, who had difficulty speaking before large groups. She would come to recognize this fear as an adult and overcame it by joining Toastmasters International.
Sylvia attended Virginia State College in Petersburg, Virginia, and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. She would go on to a long and distinguished career as a primary school teacher in Anne Arundel County. Often when out shopping at local stores, former students or colleagues would recognize and approach her, like she was a minor celebrity.
For most of her life, she attended John Wesley United Methodist Church in Glen Burnie, with family members and close friends, where she was confirmed and baptized into the Christian faith. She would teach Sunday school and serve in other capacities. She continued to grow in her faith at Colonial Baptist Church in Randallstown and enthusiastically participated in senior group activities. Toward the end of his journey, she joined Abundant Life Church in Glen Burnie to worship with her son and his family.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Sylvia was an avid hometown sports fan, watching and attending Orioles games her whole life, and following the Ravens. However, she loved college basketball and was a rabid Maryland Terrapins fan. If the Terps made the NCAA tournament, her brackets always showed them getting to the final game.
She was a lifelong reader, a trait she passed on to her children and grandchildren and a passion she shared with countless friends. She started her day with Scripture then moved on to other engaging topics. She was a Master-level Scrabble player, and dabbled in Rummikub, Uno and Skip-bo. She spent many evenings playing board games with her boys or pinochle with her friends. She always met the challenge of learning a new game, especially with her grandchildren, and had a comically, ruthless competitiveness at holiday gatherings when the games were fiercest.
Sylvia enjoyed the company of her dear friends, whether on the phone, on day trips, at lunches or other outings. There were so many. Her biggest joy, undoubtedly, was being with her beloved family. She never wanted to miss an opportunity to spend time with her immediate family, siblings, nieces and nephews. Even with the dementia that afflicted her the last two years, she never forgot her family and friends, and seeing them was an unfailing source of joy as her health deteriorated. Her stories and memories of years gone by were legendary, as was her sardonic and witty sense of humor which she maintained to the bitter end. A week before she died, she told some relatives upon their greeting, “Well, my bags are packed and I’m ready to go!”
She married and divorced twice. However, true to herself and teaching through example, like Ruth and Naomi in the Bible, she stayed in close and loving contact with Bessie Wade, her former mother-in-law, caring for her until her death in 2006. She also remained in regular contact with her stepson Mickey Jackson, especially during college basketball season.
In her 89 years – whether as a sister, mom, grandmother, aunt, teacher or friend – Sylvia touched so many lives. Her legacy is secured in her sons, grandchildren, family, as well as others.
Sylvia was preceded in death by a loving son, Craig; her three brothers and a sister; and her parents. She leaves to cherish her memory, a sister Jeannine; sons Brent and Drew; daughters-in-law Yvette and Barbara; grandsons Wesley (Gio), Clay and Josh; granddaughter Kira; great granddaughters Helena and Ella; nieces and nephews; and a host of dear friends.