Mrs. Sylvia Walden, age 84 of Milan, passed August 14, 2020, at NHC Healthcare Milan. Sylvia was born December 31, 1935 in Puunene, Maui, HI. She was the daughter of late Manuel Phillip and Chloetilde Souza. Sylvia received her registered nursing degree from the Samuel Merritt School of Nursing in Oakland, CA. She began her career at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Oakland where she was nursing supervisor. Sylvia and family moved to Milan in 1969 where she continued her nursing career and served as the Director of Nursing at Milan Hospital for many years. She played a major role in the Milan Hospital becoming Joint Commission Accredited. She sat at her kitchen table many nights after work and wrote the standard operating procedures necessary for that accreditation, from the way patients were cared for, to how the rooms were cleaned. Over the years she cared for hundreds of Gibson County residents at the hospital. She also taught a CNA course at the hospital where she started many people on their healthcare careers. Mrs. Sylvia was an active member of the First Assembly of God of Milan. She sang in the choir for many years and led many Missionettes groups of young girls. Sylvia loved helping children in need donating to various charities and sponsored a child from overseas for many years. She also loved animals working with the Jackson Animal Shelter and donating to the World Wildlife Fund for Nature and various other related charities and delighted in adopting and caring for stray animals. She was a proud grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her family. She was also passionate about sharing her gardening bounty and enjoyed preparing feasts for her guests. Surviving Family: Husband - Merle Walden of Milan Son - Michael Walden and wife Donna of Nashville, TN Brothers - Manuel Souza and wife Mary Anne of Billings, Montana and Everett John Souza and wife Sharon of McKinney, TX Grandsons - Ben Walden and wife Jenna of New Orleans, LA, and Joe Walden of Nashville, TN. Many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life memorial service for Mrs. Walden will take place at a later date. The family requests in lieu of sending flowers that donations in memory of Sylvia Walden may be made to the WWF by clicking here: https://www.worldwildlife.org/ Pending Service