Doris Louise Green Sylvester
July 15, 1923 – April 1, 2025

Doris Louise Green Sylvester, at the age of 101 years, passed peacefully wearing God‘s armor on the evening of April 1, 2025, surrounded by love and lifted in faith that guided her extraordinary life. A strong, spirited country girl born in Macon, Georgia.

She was the daughter of Jarrett Nathaniel and Lola Viola Faucett Green. As a child, she worked picking cotton, worked as a soda jerk, serving refreshments at the Wadley Palais theater. She played basketball as a guard in high school and later moved with her one suitcase by train to Atlanta, where she obtained work in an insurance office while living in a boarding house with other young women.

Answering the call to serve during World War II, Doris attended the Army Air Forces Eastern Technical Training Command in Tennessee where she became certified as an aircraft sheet metal mechanic.  She thus joined the ranks of women from around the country fondly referred to as “Rosie the Riviter”.  As job opportunities became available, she relocated to various parts of the country to continue her government employment.  She enjoyed dancing to the music of several of the biggest bands of the era on weekends when not working.

It was during this chapter of her life that she met decorated combat B-24 Liberator squadron leader, 1st Lieutenant Hart Sylvester, in Courtland, Alabama.  After dating for several months, she accepted his marriage proposal, and they married October 29, 1945. They moved to Louisiana while Hart attained his bachelor’s degree from what is now University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL) then moved to New Orleans where he studied and graduated from the Tulane University Medical School.  After his graduation, they moved with their first two sons to South Bend, Indiana and then to Hawkinsville, where they raised their five children and became deeply rooted in the life of the community, building a successful medical practice and family farm raising Charolais cattle.

Doris was a devoted wife, a gifted homemaker, and multi-talented woman.  She was widely known as an excellent cook having learned to prepare a variety of the best Southern and Soul cuisine and later, with the help of her husband’s sisters she routinely prepared remarkable meals of Creole and Cajun cuisine.

She was also known for diligently maintaining the landscape of her own yards.  She enjoyed gardening, sewing, fishing and hosting guests from different cultures from around the world. She taught her family the values of faith, hard work, hospitality, and to work together with purpose and love.

After Hart’s early passing, Doris resumed her college studies, worked a variety of jobs that enabled her to interact with people from all walks of life- one of her favorites being a bridal consultant at Richs department store at Lennox Square downtown Atlanta.

With all of her travels, Doris remained most grateful for her beloved homeland-the United States- cherishing its God-given beauty, honoring the sacrifices made throughout its history, and recognizing the abundant opportunities it offered.  Her love for adventure, family, and lifelong learning carried her far beyond the familiar.  She journeyed across the United States and Canada, and her travels led her to Europe, Mexico and the rich, varied landscapes and cultures of northern, western and eastern Africa.

She eventually resettled in Hawkinsville, joined by three of her six sisters.  She later moved to Fayetteville to live closer to most of her grandchildren.  While at an assisted living community, her last 9 months, she continued to form new friendships, share stories, and live with gratitude and grace.

Doris often marveled at the span of her life of more than 101 years of  love, joy, heartache, service, and spiritual depth.  She believed deeply in God’s only unique son, Jesus Christ.  Through every hardship, she prayed, repented, forgave and pressed on with love and resilience.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hart Sylvester, M.D.; her son, Jim Sylvester; grandson, Benjamin Barrows; her parents, Jarrett and Lola Green; her brother, James N. Green; and sisters, Rheba Leaptrott, Imogene Head, Wilda Gordy, and Merlyn Jones.

She is survived by her children: Chuck (Verna) Sylvester, Tom (Wanda) Sylvester, Cathy (Charbel) Baaklini, Joy (Ross) Barrows; blessed by her grandchildren: Nader (Virginia) Baaklini, Karen (Rob) Kay, Jarret (De’Ann) Sylvester, Adam (Cecilia) Baaklini; and great-grandchildren: Eleanor Louise and George Hart Baaklini; Ethan Robert, Eva Kathryn, and Clara Elizabeth Kay; and Nellie Stovall Baaklini.

She is also survived by her sisters Juanita Brantley and Bernice Cloy; brother-in-law Burke Sylvester; and many dearly loved nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Doris often reminded us that, “God has blessed me in more ways than I ever imagined.”

A family graveside service will be held October 4th and her remains will be interred in her family plot alongside Hart’s in Wadley. To God be all glory!