Sylvia Ann Rushing (nee McIlravey) of Gloucester, died at Hospice House in Virginia Beach on Oct. 19, 2018.  She was 81 years old.

Sylvia is survived by her children, Sharon Alexander of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Paul Rushing (Malinda) of Atlanta, Georgia, Tanya Reid (Bradley) of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Pauline Toone (Nicholas) of Bel Alton, Maryland; two sisters, Shirley Cato (George) and Janet Egnor, and her 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Truly Rushing of Tylertown, Mississippi; her parents, John and Annie (Rackley) McIlravey of Newport News, Virginia, and her brother, John McIlravey of Midland, Ontario, Canada.

Sylvia was born on Jan. 11, 1937 in Luton, England, to John and Annie McIlravey. She attended Denbigh and Icknield high schools in Luton. She met Truly Rushing while he was stationed nearby with the U.S. Air Force. The two married in March 1959 and moved several times with the Air Force before settling in Tylertown, where they raised three daughters and a son on a small family farm. After the sudden death of her husband in 1984, she relocated to Gloucester. Her children are a living testament to her love, compassion, and tenacity as they were taught to love completely and pursue their goals with intensity.

Sylvia was a member of Petsworth Baptist Church in Gloucester, the Dixie Dames Red Hat Society, and the Transatlantic Brides and Parents Association. She worked for more than 10 years as a Retail Sales Associate at Scotland House in Williamsburg, where she forged life-long friendships and impacted countless lives. She also enjoyed traveling with her friends and family; she took many bus tours and cruises over the years. Mostly, she enjoyed a quiet moment, a cup of good tea, and watching the birds on her feeders.

Sylvia passed peacefully at Hospice House in Virginia Beach, surrounded by family after a yearlong battle with terminal illness. She will be remembered as a loving mother, energetic sister, and faithful friend.

A funeral service conducted by the Rev. John Pouchot will be a 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point. The family will receive friends Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

In memory of our mother, please consider donations to The Giving Garden Foundation, P.O. Box 1421, Hayes, Va. 23072, or online at www.thegivinggarden.org. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.hoggfh.com.