Sylvia Y. Rolle

On January 23rd, 1945, Sylvia Yvonne Johnson was born at Chester Hospital in Chester, Pennsylvania to Berman Alphonso and Delia Nettie Wynn Johnson. Affectionately known as ‘Bonnie’, she was the first born of the three ‘Johnson Girls’. She was educated in the Chester Upland School District attending Booker T. Washington Elementary, Frederick Douglass Junior High and Chester High School. She was a proud graduate of the Chester High School class of ‘62. Bonnie was active in the community as she participated in the Cotillion, along time Chester tradition. She attended Cheyney University and graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. Having been baptized as a baby, Bonnie grew up singing in the Children’s Choir, ushering and being an active youth member of Murphy A.M.E Church. When she was 12 years old, Bonnie accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at the old Murphy Church located at 2nd and Engle Streets. It was there that Bonnie received her call, the love and passion for teaching as she taught Sunday School every Sunday to the Baby Class as it was called. As a teenager, Bonnie loved to read and socialize with friends listening to Gloria Lynn, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald and other jazz musicians. During the Christmas season, Ramsy Lewis’ the Sounds of Christmas was always being played. Christmas time was one of her favorite times of year. After graduating from Cheyney University, Bonnie’s teaching career began at Lincoln Elementary School, 9th & Lincoln Streets, Chester, PA. She then moved to Franklin Elementary, 4th & Franklin Streets. And, when Franklin School closed, she began teaching kindergarten at Christopher Columbus Elementary School. It was during this time Bonnie was married and from that union her beloved daughter, Candace Elizabeth Sudler was born on February 12, 1968. Bonnie and Diane Ginn taught side by side at Columbus and it was there that their lifetime connection and friendship was rooted. While attending both morning and afternoon classes, her niece Kenya began calling her ‘BonBon’. It stuck and she would affectionately be called ‘BonBon’ by many throughout her life. She was also a member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated, Xi Chapter, West Chester, PA and Cheyney University National Alumni Association as she took her status of educator and alumni seriously. In the early 1980’s, Bonnie migrated to the Bahamas where she was employed as a teacher by the Ministry of Education at the Martin Town Primary School and later the Hugh Campbell Primary School where she served as Education Coordinator. Sylvia formed a special bond with Mr. & Mrs. Andy Gomez and family. She made the Bahamas her home and the Bahamians her family. Through her affiliation, she became a devoted member of Pro- Cathedral Christ the King, where she met her late husband, Mr. Thomas Rolle. As a family we enjoyed having a home in the Bahamas to visit. Bonnie was a gracious host to her sisters, nieces, nephews, friends and family. She would feed you, prepare a well-kemp home and let you use her car. But no matter how much time you spent enjoying all that the island had to offer, Bonnie made sure all guests were in Church all day on Sunday, including the Fish-Fry fellowships. During the early days at the Pro-Cathedral Christ the King, she worked with the Brownies. She later joined the Anglican Church Women where she served diligently as a member and moved up through the ranks to President, even hosting a diocesan Anglican Church Women’s Conference in Grand Bahama. She was also noted for her incredible ability for teaching adults to read, which she carried out weekly at the church. Bonnie labored in this part of God’s vineyard above and beyond the call of duty for her church, the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King, the Anglican community and the community of Grand Bahama at large. Her love for the Lord grew stronger with time and was unwavering. Thirteen years ago, Bonnie came home for Christmas to visit with her grandchildren, family and friends. She became ill and did not return to the Bahamas. She was admitted to Brinton Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Glen Mills, PA. There, she remained until the Lord called her home. While there, Bonnie with her naturally in charge personality began running the sale of pretzels and candy for the facility, engaged in and encouraged others to do artwork and was elected to the Brinton Manor Council representing the residents. Bonnie’s previous students who worked at Brinton Manor were always exceptionally honored to be caring for their kindergarten teacher that always took such great care of them. In true Bonnie fashion, she made an impression and built family-ties while at Brinton Manor as it became her home for over a decade. Bonnie is predeceased by her husband, Thomas Rolle, parents, Berman Alphonso and Delia Nettie Wynn Johnson; sister, Deborah Lynn (Johnson) Brice; her only daughter, Candace Elizabeth Sudler; her grandmothers, Margaret (Dugger) Rothwell and Elizabeth H. Watson; grandfather, Roy Wynn; cousins, JoAnn Clark Canada and Raquel Canada. Bonnie will be dearly missed. Leaving to remember and celebrate her life are her grandchildren, Ian Eduard Rollington Sudler and Sylvonne Felder, sister Bernadette (Johnson) Givens, nieces, Kenya (Givens) Isaac (Cliff), Arielle-Marie (Brice) Rankin (Kenneil), Nephew, Jean-Pierre Brice, devoted sister-friends, Diane Ginn, Evie Sterling, Artelia (Tillie) Alexander, Mary Staples and Suzanne Gibbs and a host of family and friends.

Sylvia Y. Rolle

January 23, 1945 - December 14, 2024