Sylvia Elaine Belt, 88, of Morgantown, passed away Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, at The Villages at Heritage Point with loved ones by her side.
She lived a long and blessed life and is now with her Lord and Savior.
She was born Sept. 4, 1936, in Moundsville, to the late Harley Cramer and Cora Reed Emery. Sylvia was the youngest of Harley and Cora’s seven children, and she and her late husband Joe Belt raised four children of their own.
Joe and Sylvia came to Morgantown in 1970 from New Martinsville and made their home “at the top of Grand Street” on Grandview Avenue in South Park. Sylvia worked for several years in an administrative role for Guardian Life Insurance, and then started working as a bookkeeper at the Morgantown Public Library in 1980 — a role she held for 23 years. She loved being downtown at the library and enjoyed working with her many cherished colleagues over the years. Sylvia was also a faithful attender of the Morgantown Church of God on Madigan Avenue for over 52 years, where she held many positions and was involved in nearly every service, gathering and event over the years. Sylvia also played the piano for services at the church for over 45 years.
Sylvia was, above all, a wife, a mother and a grandmother, and God made her to be those things. She and Joe were married for more than 55 years — they spent the first 25-30 years raising their kids and then the next 25-30 years spoiling their many grandkids and great-grandkids. Sylvia loved God and her family unconditionally, she was never too busy to talk to anyone, she never had harsh words with anyone and she set a great example of faithfulness of all kinds.
Sylvia is survived by her four children, Tina Hartzell and husband Craig of Morgantown, Philip Belt and wife Kelly of Indianapolis, Ind., Jeff Belt and wife Jessica of Morgantown, and Tanya Bruner and husband Tim of Morgantown; 15 grandchildren, Kristina Saylor and husband Jason of Cadiz, Ohio; Christopher Hartzell and wife Christi of Constantine, Mich., Aaron Hartzell of Morgantown, Jacob Hartzell and wife Aki of Japan, Benjamin Belt and wife Lauren of Indianapolis, Ind., Abby (Belt) Shealey and husband Ben of Indianapolis, Ind., and Jonathan Belt of Indianapolis, Ind., Luke Belt, Tyler Belt, Jameson Walters and Jett Walters of Morgantown, Ashley (Bruner) White and husband Jason of Morgantown, Emiley, Adam and Elaina Bruner of Morgantown; and seven great-grandchildren, Skyelar Goldsborough and Wesson Saylor of Cadiz, Ohio, Keegan Hartzell of Morgantown, Dylan Hartzell of Constantine, Mich., and Lilly, June and Sara Hartzell of Japan; and her two brothers, Earnest Emery and Elmer Emery (wife Wanda) of Moundsville; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of over 55 years, James Joseph “Joe” Belt; her siblings Evelyn Cox and husband Dennis Cox, Elma Walley and husband Leon Walley, Eva Williams and husband Ron Williams, Edna Hall and husband Bob Hall.
Sylvia’s family would like to express their heartfelt and eternal gratitude to the loving staff at The Villages at Heritage Point, where she resided for the past two-plus years, as well as her private caregivers who have lovingly cared for her these last few months. We would also like to thank the WV Caring Hospice staff for the support provided in the last few weeks of her life.
Family and friends may call at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, and again from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. The funeral service will start at 11 a.m. Saturday with Pastor Daniel Strosnider officiating. Graveside services will be held immediately following the service at East Oak Grove Cemetery on Dorsey Avenue in Morgantown.
The family will be accepting flowers but would like to suggest donations be made in Sylvia’s memory to the Mon Health Cancer Center, 1200 JD Anderson Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505.
Condolences:
hastingsfuneral
home.com
