Sylvia Blaylock

Sylvia Ann Becks Blaylock, 74, died on Wednesday, December 23, at home with her family, after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma. Mrs. Blaylock was born on Nov. 5, 1946 in Aberdeen, MS, to Mildred “Millie” and Robert “Bob” Becks. Her parents careers with NASA and the Redstone Arsenal moved her family to Huntsville, AL. She grew up in church and gave her life to Christ at a young age. She always knew she wanted to be a teacher, and attended the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS. In 1968, she began her teaching career in the Mississippi Delta where she taught at Greenwood High School. Coincidentally, this is where she would meet the love of her life, Nat Blaylock. The couple married on March 25, 1972, and moved to Carrollton, MS, where they eventually welcomed three sons. Mrs. Blaylock taught at Carroll Academy and Carrollton Presbyterian Church’s Preschool during their time in Carrollton. In 1982, the Blaylock’s made their home in Kosciusko and for well over 20 years, she devoted herself to teaching at Kosciusko High School. She was a devout Christian and faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kosciusko, served on the board for a number of years at Presbyterian Day School, and was a member of the Garden Club. She was a wonderful educator and was known for being tough, but fair and loving, in the classroom. She impacted thousands of students while teaching Biology, and enjoyed staying connected with many of them over the years as they began careers and raised their own families. Mrs. Blaylock’s proudest accomplishments however, were being a Mom and a Mimi. The rock of her family, she enjoyed spending time with her husband at their family farm, raising her boys and supporting them in all aspects of their lives, loving on her grandchildren, watching them play in the yard, swimming with them, supporting them in all of their extra curriculars, making unlimited snacks with and for them, cooking for her family, and celebrating holidays with them. Mrs. Blaylock leaves behind her husband, Nat; her three sons, Jason (Krista) of Kosciusko, Cory (Shana) of Kosciusko, and Shaun (Amy) of Kilmichael, her brother, Roger Becks of Huntsville, AL; seven grand children, Hunter, Grayson, Mary-Hayden, Bailey, Paxton, Ann Alyse, and Sara Taylor Blaylock; two nephews, Roger Becks III (Ann) of Ellicott City, MD, and Chad Becks (Kristi) of John’s Island, SC. and two great nephews and a niece, Rene, Charles, and Juliette Becks, of John’s Island, SC. The family would like to thank Mrs. Blaylock’s many physicians and nurses over the years, especially her longtime home health nurse and friend, Mrs. Hayley Upchurch. A graveside ceremony will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Winona, Ms, on Saturday, December 26, at 1:00 pm. Rev. Phillip Palmertree will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials May be made to First Presbyterian Church or Presbyterian Day School at 603 Smythe St. Kosciusko, MS, 39090.