Sylvia Hudson

    Sylvia Lavora Bates Bristol Hudson left this mortal life on April 8, 2015 at the age of 88 in the comfort of her own home in Bluebell, Utah.
    She was born on March 25, 1927 in Midway, Utah to Arthur and Sarah Smith Bates.  She was the youngest daughter of 12 children.  Her family lived on a 59-acre farm where they grew their own food and raised goats, which her family milked and sold their felt for yarn.  This began a long life of hard work and dedication.
    Sylvia married Bernis Bristol on October 21, 1944 and moved to Bluebell. They had a daughter Dixie Lee and son, Lavor. Later divorced, she married Gardner “Sparky” Hudson on January 19, 1975, to whom she loved and cared deeply for until his death on November 29, 2004.  She and Sparky lived for some years in the South where he was a welder for different oil companies, and returned to settle in Bluebell, where they were a great part of their family’s lives.
    She had a kind heart and a loving nature that she shared among many.  After her mother’s death, her father came to live with her for 20 years where she cared for him until his death.
    Sylvia loved music and had many music boxes around her house.  She could be heard singing along to the music on the radio or Sparky playing his menagerie of musical instruments.  Her family would sit around in the evening when she was a young child, play instruments and sing songs.  She recalled that her dad used to call her Silver and she loved to hear him sing “Silver Bells”.   Many family members that would play weekly games with her (in which she would win most of the time) also knew her as the “canasta queen”.  Her hands were an inspiration to many as she created beautiful quilts full of her love and talent, which she made for all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  They will be surrounded by her love for many years to come.  
    She received her nickname “Grandma Doll” from her oldest great-grandson when she would call him weekly on the phone and ask him “How are you, doll?” and he applied that to her name.  This was very fitting, as Sylvia loved dolls.  She had many in her house and her husband Sparky would give her beautiful dolls as gifts throughout their years together.  Her love of gardening and flowers was apparent around her home.  
    She took pride in her many rose bushes and enjoyed all the hummingbirds that would visit the feeders she would fill for them.  Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration.  The hummingbird’s delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere.  Every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life’s sweetest creation.  Sylvia was a master at connecting to her family, community and friends.  She was a long-standing icon in the town of Bluebell, Utah where she was the lady behind the counter at the Bluebell Store.   She worked there for almost 50 years of her life, only retiring when she was 83 years old.  Many will remember her kind words and her warm smile shared time after time.
    Her mother, Sarah Smith Bates, father, Arthur Bates and 10 of her siblings precede her in death.  She is survived by her sister, Hilda Mair, daughter, Dixie Lee (James) Allen, her son Lavor (Cindy) Bristol, 9 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and many other friends and family whom will miss her love and kindness.
    The family would like to thank the many community members that have helped Sylvia over the past years, especially Penny Samuel.  Their kind hearts made Sylvia’s last years full.
    In a recent interview by her granddaughter, Sylvia wanted the next generation to know that “It is important to learn to work hard in life and also to communicate with each other.”  Her legacy will live long in her family and friends that have watched her live her life through hard work, strength, courage, communication and love.
    Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 13, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Altamont LDS Chapel.  Viewings will be held on Sunday evening at the church from 6 - 8 p.m. and Monday 1 hour prior to the service.
    Burial in the Francis Cemetery at 3:00 p.m.