Sylvia Carlton

August 16, 1936 - May 15, 2021

On Saturday, May 15th, 2021, Sylvia Mary Carlton, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away at the age of 84 at the home of her daughter in Brazil, IN. with her husband of 66 years and family at her bedside. Sylvia was born on August 16th, 1936 in London, England to John and Emily (Johnson) Bullard. Growing up, her passions were reading, singing and dancing. Performing in many shows, she once even shared a stage bill with Julie Andrews. Sylvia went on to receive a degree in business and became an executive secretary at an early age. On June 25th, 1955 in England, she married her American soldier, Hartley Carlton, to which their wedding picture was displayed across the front page of a London newspaper. Sylvia and Hartley then moved to America the following November and set out to begin their lives as one in the United States. Sylvia became Director with the March of Dimes as well as served as an executive secretary at Richland while working towards and completing an associates degree. She then went on to the University of Illinois and graduated Suma Cum Laude honors with a degree in communications. She was the owner of Elite Draperies, co-owner of Carlton Cleaners, and a long time member of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA). During their lives, Hartley and Sylvia raised four children together, Howard, Tim, Paul, and Carolyn. Sylvia is preceded in death by her parents, John R. Bullard and Emily (Johnson) Bullard, her son, Timothy Carlton, and her siblings, John Bullard and Ronald Bullard. She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Hartley Carlton, 3 children, 12 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, as well as many other beloved family members and friends. Sylvia was an active member of the Sunnyside Rd Church of Christ for the past 65 years where she attended with her husband. A funeral service honoring Sylvia Carlton will be held Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 11 AM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna, IL. Brother Mark Turok will officiate. Interment will be in the Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. Visitation will be held Saturday, May 22, 2021, from 10 AM - 11 AM at Bailey Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, 805 West DeYoung Street, Suite B, Marion, Illinois 62959.