AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, Nov. 4, our beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Sylvia A. Tracy, 75, passed peacefully, with her daughter by her side.

She was the daughter of Helen and Bill Howard of Richmond. She grew up in Richmond and attended high school there, where she excelled in basketball, earning many awards and trophies.

In 1961 she married Bob Sproul and became an instant stepmother to four wonderful children and tried very hard to provide them with a stable and loving home. In 1967, she would have a child of her own, a daughter, Patricia, who she thought the world of. In 1990 she became a grandmother to a grandson, Benjamin, who she cherished.

Sylvia had many jobs throughout her lifetime. She was very pleased to work as a teacher’s aid at Oak Hill High School in Wales. She also was an exceptional piecework employee at a local shoe factory.

She wrote many articles for the Sun Journal, which was something she was gifted at and she really enjoyed doing. Whether it was gardening, decking out her home at Christmas time, making hand-crafted pillows, listening to Johnny Cash, or restoring an old trunk, she always found something to keep herself active. Her number one passion, though, was baking. She would make endless goodies for everyone to enjoy, especially during the holidays. She was most famous for her delicious cream puffs.

Sylvia was a very special and unique person who will be sadly missed forever.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Christopher of Auburn; her grandson, Benjamin Christopher of Powder Springs, Ga.; and a brother, Vincent Howard of Richmond.

She was predeceased by her parents, Bill and Helen Howard; and a sister, Constance Bourgoin.