Sylvia Louise Margaret Paxton, 12, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2016 at her home in Powhatan, Virginia after a long struggle with cancer. Born May 18, 2003 in Kettering, Ohio, she was the daughter of Eric Paxton and Elisabeth Furman Paxton.
Sylvia was a 7th grade student at Powhatan Junior High School. She loved art, reading, and writing and had a highly expressive vocabulary. Sylvia loved animals, especially her golden retriever Harley, and planned to be a veterinary assistant when she grew up.
Her fierce determination to maintain a positive attitude, unwavering and constantly deepening faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her through four years of life with cancer after her initial diagnosis in 2011. Even throughout her own struggle, she sought to help others who were also affected by the disease by conducting multiple fundraisers in support of cancer research
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Sylvia was an inspiration to many who will miss having her as part of their lives but will rejoice that she is free of her disease and celebrating her victory in heaven.
Sylvia is survived by her loving parents, Eric and Elisabeth Paxton of Powhatan, VA, brother William Paxton; maternal grandfather Joel Furman of Sunbury, PA; paternal grandmother Sylvia Paxton of St. Albans, WV; aunts Anne Furman Lamb of Lewisburg, PA, Heather Furman Palladino of Philadelphia, PA, and Jennie Paxton Henthorn of St, Albans, WV; uncle Reid Furman of Arlington, VA, and cousins Isabella and Nicholas Palladino, Margaret and Reid Furman, and Andrew Henthorn.
Visiting hours are to be held Saturday March 19, 2016, from 6-8 pm at Bennett and Barden Funeral Home at 3215 Anderson Highway in Powhatan. There will be a memorial service on March 20, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Old Powhatan Baptist Church, also in Powhatan. As an alternative to flowers, donations may be made to:
Old Powhatan Baptist Church 2202 Old Church Road Powhatan, VA 23139. for Youth Missions Scholarship Fund or Connor’s Heroes Foundation
http://www.connorsheroes.org/donate/support-connors-heroes