Sylvia Jean Nightingale Schmidt, June 14, 1932 - August 21, 2026, Our dear mom and grandma, Sylvia Jean Nightingale Schmidt, peacefully fell asleep in the arms of Jesus on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the age of 94 years.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Central Time on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Texline Mennonite Church. Burial will follow in the Texline Mennonite Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, New Mexico.

Sylvia was born on June 14, 1932, to Alfred and Ruby Nightingale in Fairview, Oklahoma. In a dream, God revealed to Sylvia her future husband. Later, she met him at a wedding, and was married to Marvin Schmidt after a two-week engagement on February 1, 1953, in Fairview, Oklahoma. The reception was held at the bride's home. Dad and Mom shared life together for 69 years before he was called home. In 2019, it became necessary for them to move to assisted living in Dalhart, Texas, where they resided together until dad passed in 2022. For the last year of her life, Mom was cared for at The Craig in Amarillo, a long term nursing home. In the last few weeks of her life, she freely told is, 'I love you', a special keepsake. She was preceded in death by her husband, a granddaughter, 3 sisters, and 2 brothers.

Left to cherish her memory are her eight children and their spouses: Delilah Smith and husband Charles Smith of Chickasha , Oklahoma, Gary Schmidt and wife Peggy of Dalhart, Texas, Darrell Schmidt and wife Sonja of Farwell, Texas, Quinn Schmidt and wife Donna of Sedan, New Mexico, Felecia Schmidt and husband Dwain of Verden, Oklahoma, Kerwin Schmidt and wife Val of Dalhart, Texas, Brendon Schmidt and wife Heidi of Texline, Texas and Marvilyn Nightingale and husband Briceson of Hartsville, South Carolina.

29 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren.

MEMORIALS: The family asks that memorials be made in Sylvia's memory to The Craig Assisted Living, Amarillo Texas in care of Texline Mennonite Church.