Sylvia Erica Wigart's Obituary
To God be the glory for this beautiful, faith-filled life!
Sylvia Erica Wigart was born on November 3, 1964 to Francisca Martis and Fernando Gutierrez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. She was raised in a loving home with her treasured siblings (Elba, Alba, and Juan) by her precious mother (who we all called “Panchi”) and her beloved step-father, Juan (Johnny) Guevara.
Sylvia’s life was full of miracles - beginning with a diagnosis of medulloblastoma when she was just 12 years old. Through it all, she clung to Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Sylvia and David’s paths crossed while David was on a mission trip with Nashville First Church of the Nazarene. David fell in love with Sylvia as she shared the ways God had worked in her life and they were married on May 10, 1991.
David and Sylvia moved to Nashville, TN where Sylvia began working for Megatrade International as a Sales Representative. When she was placed on disability in 2019, she had worked for the company for 28 years – a crucial asset and beloved by her co-workers and her boss, Jorge Moran (who was like a father to her). David and Sylvia were faithful attenders of Nashville First Church of the Nazarene, where David worked as the facilities manager. Sylvia loved drinking coffee in the foyer, keeping her Sunday School class on time, attending a weekly women’s Bible study until she was no longer able, and serving in various ministries. However, her favorite thing to do at church was boldly praise the Lord, regardless of her circumstances. Her church family will always remember how she would stand and raise her hands in praise, sing her heart out, and pray at the altar. Sylvia Wigart’s faith was unshakable, a true inspiration to all that were blessed enough to know her.
Sylvia’s greatest miracle and blessing was her daughter, Erica. After David and Sylvia were married, Sylvia found out that she would be unable to have children due to the brain tumor she had when she was a teenager. Sylvia clung to Psalm 37:4 and the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel and 9 years later the Lord miraculously provided a healthy baby girl. David and Sylvia were not at all surprised when Erica received a call into ministry at the age of 12. Sylvia was Erica’s biggest cheerleader - whether that was at a volleyball game, a theatre production, a show choir competition, or following God’s call into ministry. The Lord graciously allowed Sylvia to attend Erica and Andrew’s wedding in 2025, followed by her ordination as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene (all in the same weekend!).
In 2009, Sylvia was diagnosed with Stage 4 Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Faced with an impossible decision, she made one of the most courageous choices of her life. The extensive radiation treatment she had received for her brain tumor in the 70’s had already pushed her body beyond what it was meant to endure. Although chemotherapy and surgery alone would not be effective without additional radiation, undergoing more radiation carried severe risks. Wanting to watch Erica grow up, Sylvia chose to fight—and, with God’s help, she won. The long-term consequences of that decision emerged in 2018, when Sylvia was diagnosed with radiation neuropathy. She was later heavily affected by COVID and, in 2024, diagnosed with dementia. Through it all, David and Erica remained by her side. David faithfully fulfilled his vows and loved Sylvia sacrificially and unconditionally.
In her final week, Sylvia was surrounded by dozens of friends and family members both in person and over the phone telling her how much she meant to them and how dearly loved she was. She passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by David, Erica, Andrew, and her granddog Pumpkin on Monday May 11, 2026. After 49 years of affliction and/or sickness, she was more than ready to run into the arms of her Savior. Today she is fully healed, made whole, and a living testimony to the miraculous power of our God. God has answered EVERY prayer.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her father Fernando Gutierrez, her step-father Johnny Guevara, her mother Panchi Martis, her brother-in-love Efrain Picon, her mother-in-love Wanda Wigart, her father-in-love Richard Wigart, and her brother-in-love Jeff Wigart. She is survived by her loving husband David, her daughter Erica (Andrew), her sister Elba Picon (nephew, Efrain), her sister Alba Gutierrez, her brother John Guevara (Ivonne & niece Barbara), the Wigart family, and a multitude of friends.
We will celebrate Sylvia’s life on Friday June 26, 2026 at Nashville First Church of the Nazarene at 6pm. Visitation will be brief (beginning at 5 p.m.), because everyone is invited to join us immediately afterward for ice cream and brownies in the Woodland Street Mall as we celebrate Sylvia’s divine miracle and healing. We would also like to invite everyone to wear something pink or purple - her favorite colors. Livestream will be available.
If you would like to make a donation in Sylvia’s honor, Nashville First has set up a memorial fund for her. We invite you to choose one of the following non-profits or churches to earmark your donation for:
Alive Hospice, who aided in the peaceful transition of Wanda, Richard, and Sylvia.
Gilda’s Club Nashville, who guided David, Sylvia, and Erica through their cancer journey in 2009
Nashville First Church of the Nazarene (for the Emmaus Ministry)
Midland Valley Community Church of the Nazarene (for the Youth House remodel, where Erica serves as the Youth Pastor)
When you click on this link, select “Add a Memo” and type the name of the group you would like to support. If a donation is unmarked, David and Erica will designate the recipient: https://nfcn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/sylvia-wigart-memorial
What’s your fondest memory of Sylvia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sylvia?
Share a story where Sylvia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sylvia you’ll never forget.
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