Ronald & Dorothy Silva
Semmes, ALABAMA

Ronald Franklin Silva was born to Manuel Henry & Lucy Franco Sylva on October 11, 1936, in Maui, Hawaii where he grew up. At 17, Ronald joined the US Army and after a distinguished career spanning over 20 years; he retired Sargent First Class. His service to his country included two deployments in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, where he earned several medals, including the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters. Ronald was faithful to the Lord and loved his church family. Some of his favorite memories were playing his Ukulele while singing for the Lord. Ronald loved his family dearly and relished the days when his children, grand and great grandchildren would come and spend time with him.

He was preceded in death by Dorothy Amanda Hyatt, his wife of 58 years, whom he loved and missed dearly since her recent passing just 4 weeks and 3 days prior to his death. Ronald & Dorothy’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren miss them every day. I love and miss you both so much, Daddy & Mama. Love you always, your Baby Girl, Barbara.

Dorothy Amanda Hyatt Silva was born on November 2, 1939 in Sims Chapel, Alabama and passed from this life on July 22, 2023, at her home in Eight Mile, Alabama, surrounded by her loving family. Dorothy devoted her life to being a wife, a mother, and grandmother and was affectionately called Grammy Nanny by her precious grands. She loved the Lord with her whole heart and lived her life by His Word and in His Word. Dorothy was a prayer warrior and daily brought her friends, family and neighbors before the Lord in prayer. She loved her church family and although failing health kept her from attending in person in recent years, she worshiped with her church right in her home. She was a great cook and you could not enter her home without being fed in body and spirit as she shared her love of God. Her special gift from the Lord was her love for babies and she shined in her daily care of many friends, nieces and nephews, grandchildren as well as great grandchildren through the years. She will forever be missed by her loved ones but their hearts are reassured over the rejoicing in Heaven upon her homecoming.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Lee and Bertha Nadine (Lane) Hyatt; siblings, Ethel Taylor, Clara Alford, Bobby Hyatt, Peggy Dickinson, James Hyatt, Bertha Jones, Floyd Hyatt, William Hyatt, and John T Hyatt; and son-in-law, Edward Young. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Ronald Franklin Silva; daughters, Barbara (Benny) Copeland of Semmes, Tina Young of Citronelle, and son, Ricky Silva of Mobile; 6 grandchildren, Felisha (Lauren) Martin of Citronelle, Christine (Kent) Ball of Mobile, Benny (Sara) Copeland, Jr of Chunchula, Michael (Lori Beth) Coulter of Daphne, Jonathan (Simone) Coulter of Vinegar Bend, Rebecca (David) Coulter of Chunchula, AL; 15 great-grandchildren, Tyler Copeland, Parker Martin, Preston Martin, Asher Ball, Piper Ball, Cayde Robbins Copeland, Brantley Pouyadou, Arabella Pouyadou, Rylen Pouyadou, Amari Rae Coulter, Nico Jay Coulter, Ashton Dees, Bryson Dees, Lorelai Coulter, Scottlyn Coulter, Knoxton Coulter; Sisters, Mary Taylor, and Ann McMillan; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends. Special thanks to the staff of Southern Care with an extra special appreciation to Nurse Lea for the hands on care, consideration and delicate attention she gave our Mother and our family.

Pallbearers will be her Grandsons, Benny Copeland, Jr., Lauren Martin, Kent Ball, Jonathan Coulter, Michael Coulter, and David Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be her loving friends; John Gurganus, Daniel Anderson, Anthony Gurganus, Tommy McConnell, Jr, and Jonathan Fleming. One visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, from 5-8 PM at Radney’s Funeral Home in Saraland, AL. and another on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, from 10-11 AM at Living Hope Church in Saraland, AL, immediately followed by services at 11 AM. Interment will be held in Valhalla Memorial Gardens, in Eight Mile, AL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to Hope Kid’s Ministry of Living Hope Church or St. Jude’s Hospital. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-saraland.com.