Delores Chevalier Sylvie

Dolores Chevalier Sylvie was born on October 18, 1930, on Cane River, Louisiana, the 13th of 14 children to Elizabeth Hebert and Constant Chevalier. She attended St. Mathews High School where she sang in the choir, played basketball and graduated Salutatorian. While still a teenager, Dolores made a recording where she was introduced as “the girl with the golden voice”.   She worked on her parents’ farm and later taught school at St. Joseph Catholic School on Cane River. On September 29, 1951, Dolores married the love of her life, James Roy Sylvie. Dolores and Roy were blessed with five children, the first, Dale in 1954 before they made their move to Marshall, Texas. Their family continued to grow with the births of Joey, Connie, Angie, and Pat. Dolores, affectionately called Dee by many, was devoted to and loved her husband of 68 years, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all her family completely. She was a loving sister, aunt, mentor, confidant, and teacher. She was a loyal and trusted friend and had a true ‘servants’ heart’. She instilled in her children the love of God and family. She taught them to stand up for what is right, always do your best, be kind, always keep your promises and finish what you start. She and Roy shared all that was important in life, especially their belief in Jesus Christ, unconditional love of family and friends and their willingness to share all they had with anyone in need. Dolores taught her children that all people deserve a good life and education. She demonstrated this by her protests in Marshall, Texas where she and Roy, were pivotal in integrating St. Joseph Catholic School. They also served as PTA Presidents for many years at Annunciation Elementary School in Houston. Dolores had strong Christian beliefs and spent much of her time volunteering with the Catholic Daughters of America where she was a dedicated member of Our Lady of Victory Court 234 in Houston, Texas for almost 40 years. She was head cook while catering many charitable functions at Knights of Columbus Council 803 and a member of the Ladies of the Knights Chili Cook-off team that benefitted the KC Scholarship Fund. She continued to live a life of service through her work with St. Vincent de Paul Society at Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral where she and her family were members for more than 50 years. She was also a member of the Christian Mothers at St. Augustine Church on Cane River, Louisiana for over 60 years. In addition to caring for her family, Dolores held several jobs in which she excelled. She worked for the priest at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and was an Avon Representative while living in Marshall, Texas. She sold World Book Encyclopedias in Houston and was an accomplished seamstress. While Roy was enrolled in college, Dolores often traded with college students, making prom dresses in exchange for babysitting services. Her sewing skills were further demonstrated when she made matching dresses for all the females of the family to model in the church fashion show. She was always handy with a needle and could repurpose a dress in a couple of hours. Dolores was an awesome cook. She spent most of her career supervising and developing recipes. Dolores retired from ARA Services after a 30-year career as a hostess, cafeteria supervisor and food service manager. She taught others with patience, prepared food with amazing skill and catered events with knowledge of the importance of beauty in the presentation of dishes. She was an excellent baker. Her cakes were delicious and her chocolate pies were the absolute best! Her most notable recipe, however, was her “Sylvie Creole Meat Pies.” Dolores worked until she came up with a formula for the perfect crust. She loved good music and loved to dance. Back in the “day”, she belonged to a line dance group and her favorite dance was ‘The Harlem Shuffle’ The loss of this wonderful woman has consumed many hearts. She will be remembered for her strength, compassion, kind heart, the way she welcomed all into her life. She will continue to inspire, as her story will be told to generation after generation. Dolores will be missed greatly and loved always. Dolores is survived by her children Dale Sylvie, Joseph Sylvie and Vivian, Constance Rabbitt and Robert, Angela LaBove and Gregory; her grandchildren Shannon, Christie, Heather and Andre, Skipper, G.P. and Andria, Mark, Erin and Clay, Jessica and Alfonso, Bobby, and Jamie; her great-grandchildren Kaleb, Miranda, Jaidyn, Elise, Sophia, Ava, Leighton, Presley, Joshua, Noah, Brennan, and Jacob; her sister Audrey. Dolores is preceded in death by her husband Roy, her son Patrick, her parents Constant and Elizabeth, brothers Harold, Ralph, Pete, Elmo, Harry and Raymond and sisters Hattie and Marie.