Katherine 'Kat' Winfrey Sylvas went to her heavenly home in the early morning of Feb. 5, 2023. She was born the 10th child of the late Thomas and Georgia (Sallee) Winfrey March 19,1944.
She received Jesus Christ at an early age at Cedar Grove Baptist Church. She graduated from Russell County High School in 1962, and then moved to Louisville, Ky. She later met her husband, Lionel Sylvas, at a dance on the Fort Knox Army base. They were later married on Jan. 23, 1966 and were blessed to have two children, Angela and Antoine Sylvas.
The young family lived in Detroit, Miami and later settled in Burke, Va. Katherine found a loving church home at Burke Assembly of God (today known as Jubilee Christian Center). She also secured a job with State Farm Insurance where she remained for 30 years until her retirement.
After retirement, she and her husband moved around a bit. New Orleans, Jeffersonville, Ind., and Richmond, Va. before settling in Louisville where Katherine enjoyed being close to family and friends.
Her faith, family and friends were the joys of her life. How she lived out her faith was a source of strength to many. She had a profoundly generous heart. Where she felt a need, she gave. She had a 'sassy' sense of humor, which always left the listener(s) with a chuckle.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Georgia Winfrey; brothers, Walter Winfrey, James 'Bubby' Winfrey, Norman Winfrey, Frank Winfrey, Wendell Winfrey, Thomas Winfrey; sisters, Gloria Calhoun and Nora Lee Garrison.
She leaves to mourn: her husband, Lionel Sylvas of Louisville; children Angela Sylvas of Louisville and Antoine Sylvas of Covington; step-daughter Carla Sylvas of Lewisville, Texas; sisters, Harlene Hartwell and Cynthia Bowling of California and a multitude of family and friends.
Memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 at 12:00 at Grissom-Martin Funeral Home with Rev. Albert Taylor, Jr. delivering the eulogy.
Burial following the service at the Holt Cemetery at Crocus, Ky.
Grissom-Martin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
