JULY 31ST, 1938 – AUGUST 1ST, 2026
In the Care of Garrison Funeral Home
Funeral services for Sylvia Simpson Dobbs, 85, of Garrison, TX, will be held at 2:00 PM, on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at First Methodist Church of Garrison, with Rev. Stephen Smith officiating. A private family interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held immediately prior to the service beginning at 1:00 PM.
Sylvia Simpson Dobbs, age 85 of Garrison, Texas passed away on Monday, Aug 31, 2026. Sylvia was born in Marshall, Texas on January 28, 1941. She passed from this life on Monday, Aug 31, 2026 in Garrison, Texas. Sylvia was one of two children born to the marriage of James and Mildred Simpson. She was schooled in Marshall, Longview, and graduated with the class of 1959 from Spring Branch High School. She then attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she met and married the love of her life James “J.P.” Preston Dobbs, Jr. They were married at the First Methodist Church in Richardson on July 7, 1962 and celebrated 60 years of marriage and two children together.
While in college, Sylvia worked at Boyett’s jewelers which ignited her love of jewelry through the years. She also worked at the Garrison News and wrote a weekly column called “For What It’s Worth” in which she reflected on people and events in the Garrison community. Sylvia was one of the founding members of the Garrison Heritage Society which brought together people of Garrison to refurbish the Hotel Wiley. She served as president of the organization and volunteered at the monthly luncheons for many years. Sylvia was a faithful member of the First Methodist Church of Garrison where she prepared meals for many, volunteered in the food pantry, and sang in the choir. She enjoyed fellowship with all who attended.
Sylvia’s interests were many and varied. She loved reading, especially a good legal thriller. She loved traveling and enjoyed amazing trips with her husband and their family. Sylvia and J.P. would often travel around searching for antiques and interesting restaurants off the beaten path. She was an avid jewelry collector and even dabbled in making it herself. Sylvia enjoyed hosting a dinner party and using all the “good dishes” and decorating the table. She enjoyed time spent with friends, drinking coffee or playing bridge. They provided her with so much companionship through the years. Her greatest passion was her family though. She looked forward to her phone calls with her sister, Genie, every morning. She loved visits from her children and grandchildren, and eventually her great grandchildren who all referred to her as Tivvie. Although she loved spending time with family more than anything, she also enjoyed a nice vacation. Jim and Kim have many fond memories of summer vacations to Yellowstone, Disney World, and nearly every corner of the country.
Mrs. Dobbs was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, J.P.
Mrs. Dobbs is survived by her son Preston (Jim) Dobbs, and wife Kim of Heath, Texas; her daughter Kim Horton and husband Art of Carthage, Texas; her sister Genie Schupp and husband Dick of Bella Vista, Arkansas; her granddaughter Laura Verden and husband Shelby of Dallas, Texas; her grandson Jay Dobbs and wife Eleanor of Dallas, Texas; her granddaughter Caroline McCarty and husband Grant of Tyler, Texas; her grandson Luke Horton of Johnson City, Tennessee; great grandchildren Adeline and Baker McCarty, Charlotte and Cecilia Verden, and Margot Dobbs, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Methodist Church of Garrison at PO Box 327, Garrison TX 75946, Garrison Heritage Society at PO Box 756, Garrison, TX 75946, and the Garrison Volunteer Fire Department at PO Box 33, Garrison, TX 75946.
Serving as pall bearers are Jay, Dobbs, Luke Horton, Shelby Verden, Grant McCarty, Matt Schupp, and J.D. Schupp.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the entire staff at Garrison Nursing Home, the caregivers of Sisters Caregivers as well as Dr. Melanie Vardeman and her staff at 20/20 Eyecare.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sylvia Simpson Dobbs, please Garrison Funeral Home’s floral store.