Obituary for Sylvia Dawne Lightfoot (Richardson)
I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 NLT
Sylvia D. Lightfoot transitioned from this earthly life into eternity on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at the age of 83.
Sylvia affectionately known as “Tootise” was born on January 8, 1939 to the union of the late Otis and Johnnie May Richardson in Delbarton, West Virginia. She was the fifth of six children gifted by God to her parents. Sylvia received her formal education in the Norfolk Public School System and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. She also attended Norfolk State University for three years, where she was working towards her bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
Sylvia met and married her high school sweetheart, Australia A. Lightfoot on January 25, 1957 and remained married for 65 years until his passing on April 23, 2021. To this union was born their daughter Gayle C. Odum.
Sylvia was fiercely independent and hardworking. During her professional career, she was a store manager for Be-Lo Supermarkets (Camellia Food Stores) for 25 years. After leaving Be-Lo, she worked part-time as a food sampler at various grocery stores throughout Hampton Roads. She also served as the vice-president for her neighborhood (Chesterfield Heights) civic league for over 20 years.
Sylvia was an exceptionally loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her love, dedication and commitment to her family was unwavering. She enjoyed cooking, shopping, and gardening. She could speak knowledgeably on any subject and enjoyed conversing with anyone—family, friends, or strangers. She always made an unforgettable impression on others and everyone felt her warm generous spirit whenever she was around. She always made her family and friends feel special and loved. She would do anything for you if she “liked you.” The love she had for her family is indescribable. For those who knew her knew she didn’t hold back what was on her mind, she told it to you like it was. Sylvia had a huge personality and an undeniable zest for life that was infectious to all who knew her.
Sylvia had a strong belief in God and was a member of New Calvary Baptist Church for over 20 years. She was a faithful christian with a passion for her spiritual growth and relationship with God.
She leaves to cherish a legacy of love and memories to her daughter, Gayle C. Odum; granddaughter Jobenia Odum Parker (Demarkus); grandson, Malcom; great-granddaughter, Amanni; three great-grandsons: Marquis, Bryce and Breon; sister Lena Pulley (Alvin Sr.) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Australia A. Lightfoot; her father Otis, mother Johnnie Mae; sisters: Frankie Lee, Hazel, Jacqueline and brother Felix.
Sylvia was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, sister and friend. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched
Sylvia D. Lightfoot transitioned from this earthly life into eternity on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at the age of 83.
Sylvia affectionately known as “Tootise” was born on January 8, 1939 to the union of the late Otis and Johnnie May Richardson in Delbarton, West Virginia. She was the fifth of six children gifted by God to her parents. Sylvia received her formal education in the Norfolk Public School System and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. She also attended Norfolk State University for three years, where she was working towards her bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
Sylvia met and married her high school sweetheart, Australia A. Lightfoot on January 25, 1957 and remained married for 65 years until his passing on April 23, 2021. To this union was born their daughter Gayle C. Odum.
Sylvia was fiercely independent and hardworking. During her professional career, she was a store manager for Be-Lo Supermarkets (Camellia Food Stores) for 25 years. After leaving Be-Lo, she worked part-time as a food sampler at various grocery stores throughout Hampton Roads. She also served as the vice-president for her neighborhood (Chesterfield Heights) civic league for over 20 years.
Sylvia was an exceptionally loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her love, dedication and commitment to her family was unwavering. She enjoyed cooking, shopping, and gardening. She could speak knowledgeably on any subject and enjoyed conversing with anyone—family, friends, or strangers. She always made an unforgettable impression on others and everyone felt her warm generous spirit whenever she was around. She always made her family and friends feel special and loved. She would do anything for you if she “liked you.” The love she had for her family is indescribable. For those who knew her knew she didn’t hold back what was on her mind, she told it to you like it was. Sylvia had a huge personality and an undeniable zest for life that was infectious to all who knew her.
Sylvia had a strong belief in God and was a member of New Calvary Baptist Church for over 20 years. She was a faithful christian with a passion for her spiritual growth and relationship with God.
She leaves to cherish a legacy of love and memories to her daughter, Gayle C. Odum; granddaughter Jobenia Odum Parker (Demarkus); grandson, Malcom; great-granddaughter, Amanni; three great-grandsons: Marquis, Bryce and Breon; sister Lena Pulley (Alvin Sr.) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Australia A. Lightfoot; her father Otis, mother Johnnie Mae; sisters: Frankie Lee, Hazel, Jacqueline and brother Felix.
Sylvia was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, sister and friend. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched