Sylvia Louise Atkinson Loney (Oct 13, 1923- April 19,2009) was born in Sumter County on October 13, 1923, she was a daughter of the late Thomas W. Atkinson and Hallie Miller Atkinson.

Mrs. Loney began her education at Hiawatha, a one roon school located in the Claremont area of Sumter County. She attended Morris College, Paine College, Clemson University, and South Carolina State University. Mrs. Loney was a dedicated member of Hopewell Baptist and New Israel Missionary Baptist Churches. She was an active member of the Missionary Society. She truly believed in the power of prayer and the study of God’s Word.

Inspired by her grandfather’s challenge to her to “uplift the less fortunate,” Mrs. Loney worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for physical, social, mental, and spiritual growth for the citizens, particularly the youth and elderly, of the High Hills Community. For many years, she served her community by operating Catchall Community Center. She was very active in the political arena and worked on the campaigns of several national, state and local officials. A strong believer in civil rights and peaceful demonstration, Mrs. Loney was instrumental in assisting the domestic employees at Shaw Air force Base with receiving equitable pay; integrating the public schools, and demanding racial equality for all citizens of Sumter County.

Mrs. Loney began her paid employment at the Glamour Shop, where she was the first African-American employed as a sales clerk in a retail store in downtown Sumter. She began her affiliation with Catchall Community Center where she worked for Wateree Community Action Agency as the Coordinator of Santee Senior Services. In 1983, after serving on the Sumter County Water Board, she co-founded and became the first director of High Hills Rural Water Company. This action was monumental in that she became the first woman in South Carolina to manage the operation of a water system. Her retirement from the water company in 1995 provided her with more time to devote to her life’s passion - Coordinator of HighHills Community Development.

She has impacted the lives of so many people and in her honor the Be Inspired! woman of the month/year awards are named after her. Sylvia Loney was truly a selfless person that constantly put the needs of others first and foremost. She was a blessing to all of those that came into contact with her and though she has passed on her memory will continue to live as an inspiration to people everywhere.