LEWISBURG — Sylvia D. Riffe, age 86 of Lewisburg formerly of Wikel in Monroe County passed away peacefully Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Brier Nursing Home following a sudden illness.

She was born October 29, 1929 a daughter of the late Andrew Delona and Violet Mae McDaniel Riffe. She was a member of the Rock Camp United Methodist Church at Rock Camp, where she enjoyed fellowship with the people there.

During her lifetime all of her educational endeavors took place in West Virginia. After graduating from High School, she entered West Virginia School of Technology in Montgomery and studied journalism. After completing those studies she returned to Rainelle to serve as editor of the town newspaper. In 1970, when her father retired from the C&O Railroad, Sylvia accompanied them to their move to the family farm in Wikel. While in Wikel she worked as a Teaching Assistant at Gap Mills School System and studied toward completing a BA degree in Education from Bluefield State, and finally earned an M.Ed. from Marshall University. Sylvia taught in numerous Monroe County schools-Gap Mills, Greenville and Union with a major focus in Social Studies, History and Political Science. Sylvia was an active member of the Monroe County Republican Party and served for 15 years as Chairperson of its Executive Committee. Many can remember her activities in this area and her ability to work tirelessly to bring goals to fruition.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, Harlan Lee Riffe and 2 nephews, Harlan Riffe, Jr. and Christopher Riffe.

Those left to celebrate her life are; a sister, V. Ruth Gray of Dublin, Ohio; nieces and nephews, Robert Gray, Ellen Gray, Andrew Riffe, Terry Elliott, Vida Kim Parker, Daryl Riffe and Robert Riffe. Several great nieces and nephews also survive and long with special friends; Margaret Clark, Shelva Wills and Kim Thomson.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 18, 2016 at the Groves Funeral Home Chapel in Union, WV with Pastor Rick Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Comer Riffe Cemetery at Wikel, WV. Friends may call Sunday, September 18, 2016 from 1:30 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. Those wishing to send the Riffe Family online condolences or sign the online guestbook may do so by visiting www.grovesfuneralhome Groves Funeral Home in Union, WV is serving the Riffe Family.