Sylvia Dell Roberts Hanna

Sylvia Dell Roberts Hanna of Gainesville, GA died peacefully, at the age of 87, in her Gainesville home surrounded by family, February 20, 2016, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Sylvia was born in Birmingham, AL on October 21, 1928 to Virley Summerlin Roberts and Phil Taylor Roberts.  She grew up in Decatur, GA where she loved playing basketball for the East Lake Methodist Church girls' team, and graduated from Decatur Girls' High School in 1946.  Sylvia attended Agnes Scott Women's College and the University of Georgia.

Sylvia married the love of her life, Paul Hanna of Atlanta, GA in 1948.  He soon was ordained as a minister in the North Georgia Methodist Conference, where they served Methodist churches in:  Fairmount, Athens, Dalton, Blue Ridge, Covington, Rome, and Gainesville. While Paul was the director at the Wesley Foundation at the University of Georgia for 18 years, Sylvia became like a second mother to hundreds of college students, and to exchange students who lived with the family for several years.

During their active ministry, Sylvia and Paul had five children, whom they loved and adored:  Alan, Marilee, Peggy, Jeffrey, and Jonathon.  After the youngest started kindergarten, Sylvia continued her education and graduated from the College of Education at UGA in 1970, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in Library Science. She became a devoted and enthusiastic Georgia Bulldog football fan for life.

Although Sylvia was a full-time mother and busy minister's wife, she was elected as President of the Women's Society for Christian Service (WSCS) for the Athens-Elberton District of the North GA Methodist Conference, and began volunteering in the elementary school library.  This led to her employment as a librarian at Barrow Elementary School and Clarke Central High School in Athens, GA.  When Paul was appointed to serve in Covington, Sylvia was hired as a librarian at the Emory College at Oxford and later volunteered at the Rome Public Library.

Through the years, Sylvia enjoyed many hobbies.  She was an expert seamstress.  Not only did she love to sew clothing for her family, she also created elaborate costumes for her children's theatre productions, made full-size tents for family camping, luggage, home decor, crafts, and much more.  Sylvia enjoyed bowling for the University Women's Club bowling team, dancing, making craft items to sell, crocheting, stamp collecting, and quilting.  She enjoyed making quilts and quilted wall hangings for many friends and family members over the years.  Sylvia and Paul performed comedy routines for over 60 years, including performances at shows on cruise ships. They enjoyed traveling internationally as well as spending time at their beloved Lake Lanier property and home. Sylvia was an enthusiastic player of board games, dominoes, and cards, which she loved playing with her cherished children and grandchildren. Above all, Sylvia was a lover of books and an avid reader.  She spent many hours at public libraries and taught all of her children the love of reading.

Sylvia is survived by her husband of 68 years, Paul H. Hanna.  Children: Alan Hanna & wife Susan Carrier of Westminster, CO; Marilee Hanna Freshley & husband Philip of Watkinsville; Peggy Hanna Valdez & husband Michael of Tampa, FL; Jeffrey Hanna & wife Renee of Flowery Branch; Jonathon Hanna  & wife Mary Carney of Jefferson. Grandchildren:  Jennifer Hanna, Mary Kate Hanna, Taylor Freshley and wife Morgan, Megan Freshley and partner Andrew Van Dyk, Kayla Gintz, Charsie Valdez, Matthew Hanna, and Bethany Hanna.  Great-grandchild June Freshley.  Nieces and nephews:  Jim Hanna, Jr., Mark Hanna, Caron Bateman, and Bart Roberts.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents Phil and Virley Roberts; brother George Roberts & wife Jackie; Daughter in law Jessica French Hanna; Grandchildren:  Joseph Hanna, Heather Hanna, and Benjamin Hanna; and Niece Milli Roberts Hart.

Funeral services will be held at the Gainesville First United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 12th at 11 AM, with Dr. Terry Walton officiating. Visitation to follow the service in the church Reception Hall. Church address: 2780 Thompson Bridge Rd., Gainesville, GA

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: 

The Alzheimer’s Association, at: http://alz.org/georgia

or by mail at:

Alzheimer's Association, Georgia Chapter
41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 550
Atlanta, Georgia 30346

or to the library of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.hillsidechapelfuneralhome.com

Hillside Chapel Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1190 McEver Rd. Gainesville, GA is in charge of arrangements.