In Loving Memory of Sylvia Gayton Wesley

Sylvia Gayton Wesley of Seattle transitioned on April 7, 2022. Born April 10, 1929, Sylvia was the second child of John and Virginia Gayton. She graduated from Garfield High and enrolled at the UW. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Seattle University along with her teaching certification for children with learning disabilities. Sylvia married William Greene and they had four children, Janice, Diane, William “Paul” and Carol.

Sylvia taught high school special education for most of her career in the Seattle Public School System. After teaching in the classroom, Sylvia continued to work for the School System training special needs students for employment until her retirement in 1997.

Sylvia was a charter member of the Seattle chapters of The Links, Incorporated and Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Alpha Omicron Chapter.

Sylvia was a member of the Black History Society, R.O.O.T.S, East Madison YMCA, and Washington Alliance of Black School Educators and served as recording secretary for The Tuskegee Airmen. Sylvia was also a longtime member of First A.M.E Church.

Sylvia is preceded in death by her former husband, William Greene, grandson, Matthew Jordan, daughters, Diane and Janice Greene, brothers, John and Phillip Gayton and sister Guela Johnson. To cherish her memory, she leaves a son, William “Paul” Greene, a daughter Carol Jordan, (Cedric) three grandchildren, Taylor, Jacob, and Rachel Jordan all of Atlanta, three brothers, Gary, Carver, (Carmen) and Leonard, (Diane) Gayton, a sister Elaine Whitehead and a host of nephews and nieces.

A graveside service will be held Friday, May 6, 2022, at 12:30pm at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue. In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Northwest African American Museum or the John and Virginia Gayton Scholarship Fund.