Sylva Rhodes

Sylva Leah Rhodes, 98, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Sylva was born to Ruth (Packard) and Charley Carter on a homestead in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma. She spent most of her life in Enid and the surrounding community, leaving only for 16 years to live in the Dallas, Texas area.

Sylva lived a full and joyful life. She married her life-long love, Jack W. Rhodes, in 1957, and together they shared 50 years of marriage and many adventures before his passing in 2007.

Sylva loved traveling, especially through the American Southwest, and was passionate about genealogy and family history. She was active in local historical societies and was a published poet. She spent many years working as a secretary, putting to use her education from Enid Business College. Her life was a beautiful testament to resilience, curiosity, and the quiet strength of a woman deeply rooted in her past while always reaching forward.

Her death as preceded by her brother, Robert Carter; sister, Dortha Woodford and granddaughter, Kristine Kowalski.

She is survived by her son, Jimmy Kowalski and his wife, Kathleen; grandchildren, Kathleen, Kerrianne, and Jonathan; great-grandchildren, Jessica, David, Zachary, Sarah, Michael, Hannah, Cameron, Christopher, Jonathan, Ella, Alexander, and Katherine and great-great-grandchildren, David, Henry, Mason, and Maggie. She also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews including, Steven Woodford and his wife, Brenda, Dennis Woodford, and Terry Woodford, as well as Virginia Carter Palmer and her, husband Jerry.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Sylva are encouraged to make a donation to the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Funeral service for Sylva Rhodes will be Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Lanman Funeral Home Chapel in Helena with burial to follow at Good Hope Cemetery near Helena. Viewing will begin at 11:00 a.m. before the service. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Helena. www.lanmanfuneralhome.com Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc