Some say that Sylvia died on September 24, 2023. However, she is more alive than you who are reading this obituary. Why? She went into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the One who said:  John 11: 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die…"

Sylvia was born in Mercedes, Texas, to Eddie Lee and Hazel Crosswhite, the oldest of four children.  Lorna, Gayle, and Eddie Lee were her siblings.  Sylvia graduated from Tivy High School in 1947 in Kerrville, Texas.  After high school she attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College, now called Texas State University.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Gorrell of fifty-two years; her parents, Eddie Lee and Hazel Bean Crosswhite, her two sisters, Lorna (Arthur Grove) and Gayle (Robert Remlinger) and one-grandson-in-law, Ted Kalloway.

Sylvia enjoyed a rich, full life, a loving marriage and an affectionate family.  She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  She loved camping with Gordon and the children in the Rocky Mountains for one or two weeks each summer. In her later years she enjoyed traveling and exploring the US with her church friends.  Sylvia had a love for the outdoors and also enjoyed fishing, birdwatching, gardening and reading. Her youngsters cherished her and will always be thankful for her soft-spoken, positive outlook on life. Sylvia enjoyed keeping up with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Sylvia was a long-time member at Pantego Bible Church and later, became a member of Park Springs Bible Church.  At Pantego Bible Church she was actively involved in the 5-year-old children's Sunday School class ministry, in the women's ministry, hosting the junior high youth ministry, and extending hospitality to missionaries home from their places of service.  At Park Springs Bible Church she continued her involvement on the missions committee for many years.

Sylvia is survived by: her brother Eddie Lee Crosswhite, sons, Ray and wife Ruth Ann (Anderson), David and wife Janice (Klein), Douglas and wife Leslie (Schick), daughter: Susan (Gorrell) King and husband, Martin; twelve grandchildren, Sarah, Daniel, Jonathan, Rebecca, Katie, Courtney, David, Christine, Jennifer, Jeffrey, Jennifer, and Lauren; and fifteen great grandchildren.

The memorial service will take place at Park Springs Bible Church, 5515 Park Springs Blvd. Arlington, TX 76017 at 11:30 am, Saturday, October 7, 2023.