Sylvia Louise (Weaver) Rider

Sylvia Louise (Weaver) Rider, 91, of Emerald Drive in Hagerstown, MD, passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Meritus Medical Center following a brief stay but battled serious health issues for the last several years.

Sylvia was born in Hagerstown on January 26, 1934, to David Finley Weaver and Maude G (Warbel) Weaver. She was a 1951 graduate of Hagerstown High School. She was employed by Commercial Credit of Hagerstown and Frederick, MD, retiring in 1989 after 38 years of service.

She was a lifetime member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Chewsville, MD, joining in 1947. She sang in the choir and served as a Sunday school teacher to first and second graders. She was known among the congregants for her seasonal hats.

Sylvia married Ernest R. (Dick) Rider at Bethel on December 14, 1957, and cared for him until his death on September 20. 2010. They were happily married for 53 years.

Sylvia was known for her wit, kindness, and sense of humor. She kept an immaculate home and was an impeccable hostess. She was quick with a compliment and loved to shop and play cards with her friends. She treated her nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren as her own, visiting and accompanying them on trips, swimming with them in the summertime, and attending their sports games, performances, and art shows. Aunt Sylvia filled the role of family organizer perfectly, coordinating food and activities for many family outings.

In addition to her husband and parents, Sylvia was preceded in death by her brother, Allen D. Weaver, her sister Lorraine (Weaver) Leather, her brother-in-law Joseph Filsinger and two nephews, Bret L. Leisinger and Steven A. Leather. She is survived by her sisters, Velma N. (Weaver) Filsinger and Connie (Weaver) Leisinger, brother-in-law Harvey C. Leisinger, sister-in-law Mary Jean Rider and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Services will be Thursday, March 27 at 10 AM at J.L. Davis Funeral Home in Smithsburg, MD with Revs Jim Johnson and Pastor Dan Thornton officiating. Interment will be in Smithsburg Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, March 26 at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church or the charity of ones choice.

Arrangements were made with J.L. Davis Funeral home, Smithsburg, MD, and online condolences can be offered at www.jldavisfh.com.