Obituary of Sybil Priest

Sybil H. Priest was born in a snowstorm on December 8, 1916 on her parent’s (the late Luther and Fannie Hatfield Hayes) farm near Gatewood, MO just south of what is now Forchee Lake. She departed this life Tuesday, February 9, 2021. She grew up a tomboy fishing the creek and roaming the surrounding woods with her dogs. She attended a country grade school but later boarded with the Methodist minister and family to attend Doniphan High School. After high school she attended and graduated from business school in Springfield, MO. On September 28, 1940, Sybil married Aden G. Priest in Fredericktown, MO. (The ceremony was performed by the minister from Doniphan where she had boarded). Aden preceded her in death on April 13, 1991. They both worked on the Malden air base during WWII. Afterwards they opened and operated a paint store in Poplar Bluff. Her love of growing African violets led to the construction of a greenhouse and later opening a flower shop that is still operating in the same location today. Sybil loved nature, especially flowers and birds. She maintained vegetable and flower gardens for many years. In her later years, her spring yard was filled with jonquils, iris, tulips, and bluebells. As soon as weather permitted there would be many pots of flowers in her yard to be cared for and enjoyed. Her grandchildren also remember her love of fishing. They would walk from her retirement home to fish along the banks of Current River, and of course they always enjoyed eating what they caught. Sybil was an amazing lady. She lived independently in her own home into her 103 year. She leaves her family and friends with many wonderful and loving memories. She will be missed. Surviving are her daughter, Sue Payne (Allen); daughter-in-law, Linda Priest of Fayetteville, AR; grandchildren, Mark Priest (Kila), David Priest (Marlo), all of Fayetteville, AR, Kristie Cross of Tuscaloosa, AL, Ben Payne (Ginger) of Poplar Bluff, MO, and John (Jonathan) Payne of St. Louis, MO. Great-grandchildren are Eli, Lilly, Helen and Aden Priest of Fayetteville, AR, Kaleb, Josh, Katelyn, and Sara Cross of Tuscaloosa, AL and Rena, Asa, and her name sake, Sybil Jewel Payne of Poplar Bluff, MO. In addition to her parents and husband, Sybil was also preceded in death by her son, L. E. Priest. A private family service and burial is planned with Brother Curtis Crowley officiating. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery.