Sylvia Elaine Karriker Lail was born on September 23, 1939 in Mooresville, N.C. to Ernest Marvin Karriker and Katie Hazel Galliher Karriker. She grew up in Cascade, a small village of Mooresville. Sylvia had one brother Melvyn and a sister Reba. Sylvia met Boyd Kenneth (B.K.) Lail, Jr. from Hildebran, N.C. at a cottage prayer meeting in 1952 and they were married on June 11, 1955. Sylvia completed her education at Mars Hill University and began her teaching career in Caldwell County, at Granite Falls Middle School, Gamewell Middle School and taught most of her years at South Caldwell High School in Hudson, N.C. She loved to teach Science, wanted her students to excel and most of all wanted to share Jesus with them.
Sylvia was a member of Hildebran First Baptist Church where she enjoyed singing in the choir and teaching the Senior Sunday School Class as well as serving her church on several committees. Her desire was to serve her Lord where He wanted her. She believed that God wants all persons to come to know Him as their Lord and Savior.
Sylvia and B.K. had two sons, Jeffrey Scott Lail and wife, Pamela, and Darrin Lail and wife, Lisa; six grandchildren: Monica Dillingham, Jamie Childress and husband, Cody, A.J. Lail and wife, Lindsey, Avery Lail and wife, Lauren, Ayden Lail and wife, Hannah, Adley Lail, and Jacob Baker; nine great-grandchildren: Kendra Westbrock and husband, Will, Casey Dillingham, Jayden Childress, Arbor Childress, Kasen Lail, Krew Lail, Ezekiel Lail, Ryleigh Lail, and Lincoln Baker.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Katie Karriker and by her husband of 59 years B.K. Lail, Jr., also their son Darrin Kenneth Lail, her brother Melvyn Karriker and her sister Reba Karriker Parker and husband Grady.
Sylvia's life verse from 1970 is Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Jesus Christ, who strengthens me." Sylvia's favorite hymn was "Amazing Grace."
The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m., Monday, November 10, 2025 at Sossoman Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home with Rev. Ron Arndt officiating. Entombment will follow in Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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I’m so grateful that God allowed me to be Sylvia’s nephew. I’m praying for Jeff and Pam and for all our family.
Praying for comfort for the family.
Jeff and Pam , So sorry to hear about Sylvia she was a sweetheart I was shocked when Linda told me ! You are in my thoughts and prayers and I will. Continue to keep praying for you during this difficult difficult time ! God Bless you , Love and prayers , Jane T. Yount A candle for Sylvia her and B.K. Use to come to Julia’s and I enjoyed them so much and Central Baptist of course so sorry
Dear family I was so sad to hear about Sylvia. She was always a good friend of mine her husband B. K. And my first husband Bruce Mingus worked together at the post office. Sylvia and I meant and decided to get a card game going and we have played ever since till she moved to Valdese. I missed her so much. She was a wonderful person and loved her God. With deepest sympathy and with love, Sandra Turner.
So very sorry for your loss. I taught with Sylvia at both Gamewell Middle and Granite Falls Middle. We lost touch when she was moved to South Caldwell and I was sent to West Caldwell. She was a wonderful teacher and a great lady of faith. She always loved sharing recipes with me. May God give your family peace and comfort in this time of loss.