Sylvia Marlene Christmas

Sylvia Marlene Altman Christmas of Keystone Heights, FL (affectionately known by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many others as Gmom), 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. She was born on August 26, 1934, in Jacksonville, FL, to Henry Lancelot and Lula Bell Altman, their only child. Based on journal like entries in a pocket calendar discovered by her family, she met the love of her life, J.B. Christmas, in the Spring of 1948. The journal documented her and J.B.’s adventures fishing, hunting, going to Gold Head State Park and Kingsley Lake, playing piano, playing games like Monopoly, attending Lee High School football games, going to the pictures, and visiting with family and friends. On Friday, December 9, 1948, he proposed, and they were married on December 24, 1948. They continued to fill their days with many memories until J.B.’s death on December 10, 2007, just short of their 59th wedding anniversary. J.B. and Sylvia were founding members of Hyde Park Baptist Church in 1951, where they served for over 30 years before transferring their membership to First Baptist Church of Keystone Heights. Sylvia had many talents including playing the piano, which she began at an early age. She began playing piano for church services when she was just 15. She played piano and later the organ until lightning struck the organ at First Baptist Church of Keystone Heights, or as her family says, God retired her. She said that she preferred the organ as no one could tell if she made a mistake, unlike the piano. She was also a talented floral designer and seamstress. She was a certified Master Gardener and volunteered at the Jacksonville UF/IFAS Extension office. She worked as a floral designer traveling to retail stores throughout North Florida and South Georgia, and in later years as a department manager at Hitchcock’s in Keystone Heights. She is preceded in death by her husband, James Benjamin Christmas, Jr (J.B.) and her parents. She leaves behind her children, Janice (Dick) Crosby, Charles (Kim) Christmas. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bill (Heather) Crosby and Richard (Julie) Crosby, and great grandchildren, Shelby (Taylor) Mendoza, Madison Crosby, Delaney Crosby, and Ben Crosby. Sisters-in-law, Jean Hough and Merry (David) Holton, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Keystone Heights on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Visitation will begin at 12pm, Service at 1pm with Pastor Daniel Findley officiating. Interment will follow at Jacksonville Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Baptist Church of Keystone Heights. Make check payable to FBC Keystone Heights, note “Youth Camp” in the memo section, and mail check to 550 E. Walker Dr, Keystone Heights, FL 32656