Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia for Elfriede Ryals Sylvest, 80, of Columbia, who passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024 at Forrest General Hospital. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia. Rev. Mark McArthur will officiate the services.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at Hathorn Funeral Home.

Mrs. Elfriede came from Germany in 1953 where her family was of great importance to her.   Mrs. Sylvest was an avid animal lover who also enjoyed the outdoors.

She was preceded in death by her Spouse, Mac Sylvest; Son, Jimmy Ryals; Father, John Eckerl; Mother, Centa Maurus Eckerl; two Brother-In-Laws, Henri van Goethem and Bob Newby.

She is survived by her Daughter, Teri Sanders (Gary) of Columbia, MS; five Grandchildren, Eric Ryals (Jody), Orry Sanders (Tina), Erin Ryals, Nick Sanders and Jeffrey Ryals (Dawn); Brother, John G. Eckerl (Jane); two Sisters, Ingeborg van Goethem and Johanna Newby; nine Great Grandchildren, Kade Ryals, Kaleb Ryals, Kaylee Ryals, Karter Ryals, Hudson Sanders, Hayes Sanders, Ryleigh Sanders, Weston Sanders and Grace Ryals; A Host of Nephews and Nieces.

Pallbearers will be Eric Ryals, Orry Sanders, Nick Sanders, Kade Ryals, Kaleb Ryals, John Eckerl, and Gary Sanders. Honorary pallbearers will be Karter Ryals, Hudson Sanders, Hayes Sanders, and Weston Sanders.

Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com