Sylvia Ann Newmaker

Sylvia Ann (Smith) Newmaker, 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 3rd, 2023, in Lakeland, FL. She was born in Warren, PA, to parents Martin H. Smith and Eva M. (Schussler) Smith on June 27th, 1935. She married Frederick Charles Newmaker Jr. on April 20th, 1957, in Warren, PA. Sylvia was full of life and loved her family deeply. She was quite the firecracker and kept everyone on their toes with her unexpected wise cracks and witty humor. Her smile could light up any room she entered and served to help everyone stay on a forward focus. She was quick to let you know what she was thinking, no holds barred. Sylvia loved sewing and crafting along with cooking and baking. She was an avid reader, often able to burn through the battery life of her electronic devices in less than a day. She enjoyed watching a variety of TV games shows, and was always happy when the Tampa Bay Rays or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were being televised. Of course, she was most content when the Hallmark Channel was playing her favorite movies. Aside from being a housewife and mother, Sylvia worked for 20 years as a bank teller (13 years for First Bank & Trust Company in Murphysboro, IL, and the remaining 7 years for First Union National Bank in Charlotte, NC, Greenville, SC, and Ocala, FL.) She retired from banking in 1998. Sylvia is preceded in death by her parents Martin and Eva Smith, her brother Martin H. Smith Jr., her sister Virginia Barnhart, and her loving husband of 57 years, Frederick Charles Newmaker Jr. She is survived by her children: Sons Mark Gregory Newmaker and wife Janet Newmaker of Lakeland, FL, and Craig Steven Newmaker and wife Meredith Newmaker of Monument, CO, along with Daughter Heidi Sue Newmaker of Lakeland, FL. She has three grandchildren: Danielle Rae Novotny, Reagan Michelle Newmaker, and Jeremy Matthew Newmaker, along with two great grandchildren: Isabella Rae Mendieta and Mikko Nehemiah Craig Novotny. Sylvia will remain a cherished soul to all who have met her in life. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 18th, 2023, from 10-11:00 a.m. at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Serenity Gardens Chapel, 3350 Mall Hill Drive, Lakeland, FL 33810. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with interment in the Garden of Peace at Serenity Gardens immediately following.

Sylvia Ann Newmaker

June 27, 1935 - March 3, 2023