Milford Mourns Beloved Child Caregiver

Sylvia M. Rogers Reynolds, a beloved child caregiver in Milford, took Jesus’ hand and entered the Kingdom of Heaven on April 29, 2026. She was 81.

Sylvia was born in Milford Memorial Hospital on January 15, 1945, to Alvin and Dorothy Rogers, graduating from Milford High School in 1963. She never left her hometown of Milford, meeting and marrying the love of her life, Leonard “Lenny” C. Reynolds on June 13, 1963.

While in high school, Sylvia worked for J.C. Penney, the State of Delaware, the Shadow Box and Wharton & Barnard. Her true passion was finally found working with children, saying often that she was “thankful for each child that she was fortunate enough to care for over the years.”

Sylvia worked at Calvary Children’s Center, operated a home daycare where the children called her “Aunt Sylvia.” She then went to work for TLC, The Learning Center, where she continued to teach and shape lives of children for many years. Tht is where she found her dream job as a pre-school teacher and worked there with children until her retirement. Once retired, she took care of her grandchildren.

Next to her faith in God, her family was the most important thing to her and she loved her friends. Sylvia treasured the simple moments in life and always put her family’s needs far ahead of her own. She enjoyed flowers and gardening, a good cup of hot tea, car rides to local ponds, Slaughter Beach and her grandparents’ farmhouse that now belongs to the Vanderwende family.

Above all, Sylvia loved reading her Bible and tried very hard to live by every word of it. Sylvia was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church and was actually on the Cradle Roll. Her relationship with Jesus grew over the years and was strengthened by her answered prayer for a husband that knew Jesus. She thanked God many times for sending her Lenny and she knew he was meant for her.

Sylvia taught Sunday School, Bible School, went to Bible Studies and was a counselor at the Billy Graham Crusade held at the Harrington Fairgrounds. She and her husband Lenny donated many Bibles to the community and coworkers.

Sylvia leaves behind a legacy of deep love for her children and grandchildren. They brought her so much happiness and she taught them how to be there for each other and to always keep faith in God, looking to Him for guidance and answers.

She will be deeply missed by her children, Jeffrey A. Reynolds and his wife, Suzanne; Kristine L. Phillips and her husband, Richard; Jodi K. Brown, all of Milford. Her grandchildren, Daniel Phillips (Sean); Brittany Johnson; Taylor Reynolds (Brooke); Ethan Reynolds; Vincent Brown and Kenzo Brown also will miss her dearly. Sylvia is survived by her brother, Daniel A. Rogers and his wife, Priscilla; a sister-in-law, Joanne Reynolds; nieces and nephews, Chad Rogers, Lisa Murabito (Joe); Jack Reynolds (Jennifer); Juliann Willey (Dan) and several great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 7 at 1 PM at Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 SE Front Street, Milford. Visitation will be from 11 AM to 1 PM. Interment will follow at Milford Community Cemetery. Flowers are appreciated and encouraged.