Sylvia Enfinger

Sylvia Roberta Gates Enfinger 8/8/1927 – 7/17/2021 Aunt “Doodle” and “Cracker” as she was called by family and friends, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus just a few weeks before her 94th birthday. Doodle was the 4th child of 14 children born to M.J. “Bud” and Mamie Gates of Ferry Pass Community in Escambia County Florida. She is survived by a brother Bud (Priscilla) Gates; sister, Patsy Kuhar; son, Rodger (Susie) Enfinger; grandson, Jesse Odom (Kerri Adams); granddaughter, Blainey Mitchel; grandson, Devin (Ana); great-grand kids, Alex and Elias; 5 wonderful step daughters, Beverly, Bonnie (Gerard Patti), Wendy, Debbie and Paulette; and many, many precious nieces, nephews, family and friends. We will see you again one day on that bright shining shore in Jesus’ precious name, Amen. Sylvia was raised in a loving, hardworking, Christian home and never strayed from her faith and discipleship to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sylvia started her career at Pacific Bell as a long distance telephone operator in San Francisco, California. It was 1946, and within a few years she would marry Dan Shook and they would have a daughter Linda Diane Shook. A few years later they would separate and Sylvia would transfer home to Pensacola to Southern Bell resuming her career as a Switch Board Operator. Some ten years later she would marry again to “Bill” Metzger Enfinger and they would have a son W. Rodger Enfinger. Rodger would become the ultimate challenge and struggle in her life. He was a good boy but there was no drugs like Ritalin for a hyper boy during the 60’s and 70’s era. Sylvia and Bill would divorce within a few years leaving Sylvia to provide alone as a single parent. To secure her sanity, Sylvia would purchase a one way ticket every summer for Rodger to visit relatives up in the North East. This went on from age 9 to 16. There was never ever any complaints with relatives pooling funds together for his one way ticket return to Pensacola at the end of every summer. Sylvia retired from the telephone company after 25 years. She would continue working by sewing, making chocolate Easter eggs and candies every Easter, and working for the Bethany Church of God. Sylvia would teach Sunday School at the church for many years but her heart was to have her own “Children’s Church” in her home…and she did. Every Saturday afternoon she would pull out her Flannel Board and teach the neighborhood kids the wonderful stories of the Bible. She would supply all the refreshments and prizes and encourage the children with the love of Jesus and how to be like him. My mother has left a wonderful legacy of love, love of family, friends, and neighbors. But first and foremost the love and the obedience to God. We will meet again in Jesus name. Pallbearers are Jesse Odom, Aaron Ohlson, Ronnie Gates, Jr., Steven Gates, Eddie Nelson, Jr and Frank Patti Jr. Honorary Pallbearers are Bud Gates, James L. Ruef, Tony Tarnok, Sr., Danny Welch, Jr., Charlie Ayers, Jr. and Frank Pattie, Sr. Services will be at Gracepointe Church of God with Senior Pastor Sherrill Isbel (Granny Gates Pastor). Reverend Benjamin Bohanick will be Officiating with Doctor Edwin Kirby assisting. We would like to express a special “Thank you”, to Reverend Doctor Ernie and Katie Brown, who have been life long friends and faith partners in Christ with Sylvia and her mother, Mamie Gates. Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

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Sylvia Enfinger

August 8, 1927 - July 17, 2021