April 17, 1925 – December 9, 2015
Sylvia Barton Kirkland, 90, passed away peacefully Dec. 9, 2015. Sylvia was born April 17, 1925, in Tropic, Utah, to Karma Johnson Barton and Leo Lorenzo Barton.
She married Steven Emerson Kirkland July 8, 1952, in Sugarhouse, Salt Lake City. Sylvia spent her childhood in Tropic, Utah. As a teenager, her family moved to St. George, Utah, where she spent the rest of her life. She graduated from Dixie High School in St. George.
Afterward, she worked in a malt shop where she enjoyed an occasional cherry coke with her sister. She later worked several years as a legal secretary in a law office.
Sylvia was a loving and kind-hearted woman who did not want to be a burden to anyone. She always wanted to help relieve other’s burdens and did so the best she could. She was a loving and devoted wife to Steven, and they enjoyed traveling on road trips together. She was an excellent housewife and cook.
She spent hours making sure that meals were on the table, that the house was clean and that clothing was washed for the extended family for which she helped provide. She loved to sing and play the piano. She also enjoyed her family, especially attending family events and reunions.
Later in her life, working with Steven who loved gardening, she too grew a love for it and became an expert gardener. Her children thoroughly enjoyed the fresh vegetables and canned goods she offered them.
Sylvia enjoyed being a grandma and great-grandma to so many and always enjoyed it when visitors came with their little ones.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Steven Emerson Kirkland; her parents; three brothers; three sisters; two children, Hope and Faith; and one stepchild, Trudy.
She is survived by three brothers; one sister; and her six children, Linda Rogers, Kevin (Annette) Kirkland, Kirk (Harriet) Kirkland, Daniel Kirkland, Marvel (Mike) Sedgwick and Ephraim (Katherine) Kirkland. Sylvia is also survived by eleven stepchildren, Ruth (Tom) Cooper, Steve (Janice) Kirkland, Ben (Kay) Kirkland, Linton (Jelene) Kirkland, Hylan (Nina) Kirkland, John (Rosie) Kirkland, David (ReVoe) Kirkland, Evelyn (Jim) Blackmore, Fenella (Phil) Wright, Richard Kirkland and James Kirkland; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services
- Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m., in the Spilsbury Mortuary Chapel at 110 S. Bluff S.t, St. George, Utah.
- Friends may come to the viewing prior to the services at the same location, 9-10:30 a.m.
- Interment will take place in a private cemetery on the family farm in Washington, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Linda K. Rogers.
The family wishes to give special thanks to the season’s staff and their affiliates for caring for their mom for the last few years.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family may sign Sylvia’s guestbook online.