Obituary for Sylvia Reeves Oakley
Sylvia Reeves Oakley, 90, completed her life’s journey on June 20, 2022. Born on June 15, 1932, in Thomaston, GA, she enjoyed an idyllic childhood in this small mill town, as the daughter of the town’s pharmacist, the granddaughter of its police chief, and the beneficiary of a childhood spent in a rambling house at the edge of town, a home full of love and laughter. Filling this home with Sylvia were her parents Joe and Ruth, her older brother Don, two unmarried aunts, Elise and Johnnie, and her grandmother Mary. Next door lived another aunt, Grace, and her husband Albert.
Surrounded by this large, loving family, her childhood featured wonderful friendships, after-school hours spent working at the soda fountain of her father’s drug store, Reeves Pharmacy, and summers spent at Girl Scout and church camps. A bit of a tomboy, she excelled at athletics, especially basketball. During her senior year in 1950, she served as captain of the R.E. Lee High School basketball team, leading it to the Georgia state championship. In 2020, she and her teammates were inducted into the Upson County Sports Hall of Fame.
Following high school, she attended Mercer University in nearby Macon, where she made many lifelong friends as a member of Chi Omega Sorority, graduating in 1954 with a degree in sociology. She married a fellow Mercer graduate, Richard Johnstone, in December 1953, and the couple had two sons, Richard Jr. and Frank, and lived in cities throughout the Southeast as Richard Sr. pursued his sales career. Beginning in 1957, the family lived in Atlanta, then Charleston, SC, Tampa, FL, Jacksonville, FL, Charlotte, NC, and Vestavia Hills, AL, before settling ultimately in their adopted home of Richmond, Virginia in 1971. Sylvia was a loving mother and wife, always encouraging her two sons to pursue their passion and do their best, and both sons ended up achieving academic and career success thanks to her encouragement and involvement.
In addition to the challenge of smoothly and successfully packing and unpacking her family during 7 moves in 14 years, Sylvia in middle age overcame another life challenge with the same cheerful resolve, returning to school and then to full-time employment, spending 17 enjoyable years working in an administrative position at Radiology Associates.
During her happy second act, she would also find a wonderful husband in Allen R. Oakley. The couple were married in 1980 and enjoyed 28 pleasant years together, enjoying grandchildren, gardening and travel. Sylvia also became an avid contract bridge player, taking part with fellow enthusiasts in spirited games at least twice weekly for many years. She also became a member of Tuckahoe Woman’s Club, spending many enjoyable afternoons catching up with friends and listening to a variety of engaging guest speakers. Firmly established in childhood, her religious faith would carry her through life’s most challenging moments. A lifelong Baptist, she was an active member of Bon Air Baptist Church and its Prime Timers seniors group.
But she always pointed to motherhood as her proudest role and raising two successful sons as her greatest accomplishment. They both survive her, grieving her loss while appreciative of having had a wonderful, loving, encouraging mother.
In addition to her sons, Richard G. Johnstone, Jr. (Blair) and Franklin R. Johnstone (Ann), Sylvia is survived by grandchildren Katy Johnstone Hurtz (Nathan), Stephanie Johnstone Martin (Kyle) and Ethan A. Johnstone (Linnea Morgan); great-granddaughters Keira Ruth Hurtz and Evelyn Anne Martin; a stepdaughter, Mary Oakley, step-grandsons Matt and Ryan Jennings, and four step-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and long-time friends.
Sylvia was a lover of animals her entire life. In lieu of flowers, she requested that memorial contributions be made to the Richmond Animal League, www.ral.org.
Also, per her wishes, she will end her earthly journey where it began, buried with her husband Allen in Southview Cemetery in Thomaston, GA, their grave site adjoining those of her parents, aunts and grandmother, the same family members who shared a happy home so many years ago now sharing eternal rest together.
The family wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to Daisy with At Home Care Hospice; Nicole with Senior Helpers; and the team with Jan’s Helping Hands—Adelaide, Jarwona, Matasha and Rachael—for their loving care of Sylvia during her final days, spent peacefully in her home.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Monday, June 27 at 4 p.m. at Bon Air Baptist Church, 2531 Buford Rd., Richmond 23235. The family respectfully requests that attendees please wear a mask. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be streamed live at https://bonairbaptist.org/memorials
Surrounded by this large, loving family, her childhood featured wonderful friendships, after-school hours spent working at the soda fountain of her father’s drug store, Reeves Pharmacy, and summers spent at Girl Scout and church camps. A bit of a tomboy, she excelled at athletics, especially basketball. During her senior year in 1950, she served as captain of the R.E. Lee High School basketball team, leading it to the Georgia state championship. In 2020, she and her teammates were inducted into the Upson County Sports Hall of Fame.
Following high school, she attended Mercer University in nearby Macon, where she made many lifelong friends as a member of Chi Omega Sorority, graduating in 1954 with a degree in sociology. She married a fellow Mercer graduate, Richard Johnstone, in December 1953, and the couple had two sons, Richard Jr. and Frank, and lived in cities throughout the Southeast as Richard Sr. pursued his sales career. Beginning in 1957, the family lived in Atlanta, then Charleston, SC, Tampa, FL, Jacksonville, FL, Charlotte, NC, and Vestavia Hills, AL, before settling ultimately in their adopted home of Richmond, Virginia in 1971. Sylvia was a loving mother and wife, always encouraging her two sons to pursue their passion and do their best, and both sons ended up achieving academic and career success thanks to her encouragement and involvement.
In addition to the challenge of smoothly and successfully packing and unpacking her family during 7 moves in 14 years, Sylvia in middle age overcame another life challenge with the same cheerful resolve, returning to school and then to full-time employment, spending 17 enjoyable years working in an administrative position at Radiology Associates.
During her happy second act, she would also find a wonderful husband in Allen R. Oakley. The couple were married in 1980 and enjoyed 28 pleasant years together, enjoying grandchildren, gardening and travel. Sylvia also became an avid contract bridge player, taking part with fellow enthusiasts in spirited games at least twice weekly for many years. She also became a member of Tuckahoe Woman’s Club, spending many enjoyable afternoons catching up with friends and listening to a variety of engaging guest speakers. Firmly established in childhood, her religious faith would carry her through life’s most challenging moments. A lifelong Baptist, she was an active member of Bon Air Baptist Church and its Prime Timers seniors group.
But she always pointed to motherhood as her proudest role and raising two successful sons as her greatest accomplishment. They both survive her, grieving her loss while appreciative of having had a wonderful, loving, encouraging mother.
In addition to her sons, Richard G. Johnstone, Jr. (Blair) and Franklin R. Johnstone (Ann), Sylvia is survived by grandchildren Katy Johnstone Hurtz (Nathan), Stephanie Johnstone Martin (Kyle) and Ethan A. Johnstone (Linnea Morgan); great-granddaughters Keira Ruth Hurtz and Evelyn Anne Martin; a stepdaughter, Mary Oakley, step-grandsons Matt and Ryan Jennings, and four step-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and long-time friends.
Sylvia was a lover of animals her entire life. In lieu of flowers, she requested that memorial contributions be made to the Richmond Animal League, www.ral.org.
Also, per her wishes, she will end her earthly journey where it began, buried with her husband Allen in Southview Cemetery in Thomaston, GA, their grave site adjoining those of her parents, aunts and grandmother, the same family members who shared a happy home so many years ago now sharing eternal rest together.
The family wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to Daisy with At Home Care Hospice; Nicole with Senior Helpers; and the team with Jan’s Helping Hands—Adelaide, Jarwona, Matasha and Rachael—for their loving care of Sylvia during her final days, spent peacefully in her home.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Monday, June 27 at 4 p.m. at Bon Air Baptist Church, 2531 Buford Rd., Richmond 23235. The family respectfully requests that attendees please wear a mask. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be streamed live at https://bonairbaptist.org/memorials