Sylvia Maxine Alford

Sylvia Maxine (Higdon) Alford was born June 16, 1935 to Narva and Charles (Scott) Higdon in a two-story farmhouse in Higdon, MO. She enjoyed an idyllic childhood, surrounded by loving grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She loved her rich family heritage and was very proud of her roots there. She attended the one room schoolhouse just down the road before moving into “town” (Fredricktown, MO) at the age of 7 where it was quickly apparent that she was way beyond the second grade in her schooling! She was sent to the 3rd grade that year and later skipped an additional grade, setting her up to graduate from Beaumont High School in St. Louis city at barely 16. When the family moved to St. Louis, it was war time and housing was scarce. Sylvia recalls living in beautiful homes that had been turned into four family flats, sharing a cooking area in the hall with another family and keeping milk cold in the snow out on the roof. She recalls playing jacks with the neighbor kids in the alley, riding street cars all over downtown, shopping at Famous-Barr, regularly meeting friends at Forest Park and attending Cardinals games at the old Sportsman’s park. After the birth of her brother, Chuck, the family moved to Alva, OK where she attended junior college. Her dad laughed and said he dropped Sylvia off at college on the way to taking Chuck to Kindergarten. There she met and married Bob Hendrix. To this union, two children were born: Debra Lynne in 1957 and Robert, Jr. in 1961. Moving the family to St. Louis, Sylvia worked as a secretary in Clayton until relocating to Springfield, MO, where she served as the head of finance and insurance for new boat sales at Bass Pro. Single for many years, she met Dale Alford as he was there boat shopping. He didn’t end up buying the boat, but he got Sylvia instead. Dale and Sylvia loved to travel. Their trips included a road trip to Seattle, WA to see Dale’s sister and then an unforgettable drive down the coastline. They took a cruise with beloved friends from their church, North Nixa Baptist, in Nixa, MO where they remained active and busy members until Dale went to Heaven in 2016. Living in Springfield at the Fremont Senior Living Facility, Sylvia loved to socialize, participate in fishing and shopping outings and attended every possible activity, including the weekly poker game with friends. Sylvia loved nothing more than listening to her amazing collection of cd’s, meeting and making new friends, visiting with old friends and having good conversations with interesting people from all walks of life. Oh, and finding a good bargain on QVC! You could always count on her to be beautifully dressed, perfectly accessorized and in full make-up. One of her favorite sayings was, “Don’t let today be a waste of lip-stick.” She loved her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids and enjoyed sharing pieces of her extensive jewelry collection when they came to visit. Sylvia left this earth on December 19, 2020 after struggling with health issues and will be missed daily by all who knew her. Her family will remember her with love and laughter each time we gather. Sylvia is survived by her brother, Chuck (Ann) Higdon of Strafford, MO, daughter Debbie (Mike) Wright of Montreal, MO, son Bob Hendrix and (fiancée Linda Smoot) of Norwood, MO, grandchildren Nicole (Mason) Roam and Lindsey Wright (Leon Copeland) of Camdenton, MO, Danny (Kallie) Lamport and Jessica (Cody) Phillips of Sedalia, MO and Cody (Chelsea) Hendrix of Belton, MO. Great grandchildren include Addison, Logan and Kayla Lamport, Aubrey, Cowen and London Hendrix, Abigail and Allison Roam, and Annabelle Copeland. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dale, and two grandchildren, Kayla and Michael Hendrix. Visitation will be held at Allee Holman Howe in Camdenton, MO on Tuesday, December 22 from 2-4:00 followed by a graveside service on Wednesday, December 23 at noon in Higdon, MO. Memorial contributions may be made in Sylvia’s honor to Kid’s Harbor in Osage Beach, MO.