Sylvia Burns passed away Sunday, May 8 in Duncan, Oklahoma surrounded by family. Her service is under the direction of Carter Smart Funeral Home. The celebration of her life will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at Fair Baptist Church with the Rev. David Spangler officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens. Family visitation will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Carter-Smart Funeral Home. Family will meet at Russell and Susan's home and invite friends to drop by to visit in addition to the scheduled visitation.

Many of Sylvia's years were spent serving others. Beginning at a young age, she worked at the Duncan Bus Station Café owned by her parents Willard and Ruth Tinkle.

Sylvia married Bobby Gene Burns, June 25, 1955, at Fair Baptist Church where they remained life time members. They moved to Dallas, Texas for a few years where their children Bobby Jay and Susan were born.

Sylvia immensely enjoyed volunteering as a 4-H leader for many years. In her church family, she served as Toddler Sunday School teacher and Youth Camp cook. Her passion was to care for bereaving families. She was one of the first on scene with food in hand and love in her heart.

Sylvia is survived by her son Bobby Jay and wife Debbie; daughter Susan and husband Russell Thornton; brothers W.F. Tinkle and wife Leota, Charlie Tinkle and wife Judy, sister Corky and husband Gordon Chandler; her grandchildren, Cherlinda, Robert, Randy, Zack, and Scott; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

Sylvia was proceeded in death by her husband, parents, and three sisters, Twyla Sampson, Sherry Kincannon and Mickie Payne.

The family thanks all those who visited Sylvia and the Wilkins team for their care and friendships.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fair Baptist Church Life Center or Baptist Girls' Home in Madill, Oklahoma.