Sylvia Adabell (Clapp) Honts

Sylvia Adabell (Clapp) Honts, 94, formerly of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away Saturday morning, June 28, 2025, at Lighthouse of Care in Arlington, Texas.

Sylvia was born August 19, 1930, to Sylvester “Blocky” Clapp and Capitola (Sears) Clapp at Lyman, Oklahoma in Osage County. She grew up in Webb City and graduated from Shidler High School, where she was valedictorian of the class of 1948. Sylvia attended Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, Oklahoma, graduating in 1952 with her Bachelor of Science degree in General Business.

Sylvia moved to Bartlesville after graduating from A&M where she was employed by Cities Service Oil Co., serving as Oil Accounting Department clerk for five years. After time away from the workforce to raise her children, she then worked as records secretary for First Baptist Church for 11 years and as a bookkeeper for The Frank Phillips Foundation at Woolaroc for 14 years. She also spent time as a School Board member for Osage Hills Elementary School (3 years), served as a leader for Cub Scouts, Brownies and Girl Scouts, and was a member of the Washington County Historical Society.

When she first arrived in Bartlesville, she found her church home at Bartlesville First Baptist Church, where she was a member for more than 65 years. It was at First Baptist where she met, and later married, the love of her life, Loyd R. Honts. They were married there on April 10, 1954. Together they raised 3 children and Sylvia welcomed 3 more as daughters-in-law and a son-in-law. Loyd would precede Sylvia in death on March 17, 1987.

Sylvia was active in her church as a Sunday School teacher, VBS leader, WMU member since 1962 and director for 10 years. Her passion was missions, and she served as a missions team member to Malawi, Nicaragua and three times to Mexico.

Family was very important to Sylvia. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, parents and siblings, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. On more than one occasion she gave selflessly of her time and talents when family had need of her assistance. She loved to travel, and loved it even more if one or more of her children or siblings could travel with her.

Sylvia is survived by three children, Curtis D. Honts and his wife, Toni of Chapmansboro, TN, Arlen K. Honts and his wife, Stacy of Wichita, KS, and Diane R. Nicholas and her husband, David of Mansfield, TX; two brothers, Carl W. Clapp of Barnsdall, OK and Dewey W. Clapp of Stillwater, OK; two sisters, Connie C. Collins of Sand Springs, OK and Donna Kay Clapp of Bartlesville, OK; six grandchildren, Anna Laura Honts of Wichita, KS, Benjamin L. Nicholas and wife Alissa of Arlington, TX, Lincoln R. Honts of Birmingham, AL, Camille W. (Honts) Mason and husband, Walker of Birmingham, AL, Emma R. (Honts) Baumgartner and husband, Mitchell of SE Asia and Colin M. Honts of Wichita, KS; and 3 great-grandchildren, Thaddaeus Baumgartner, Hadassah Baumgartner and Briella Nicholas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother, Sam Clapp, a sister, Sarah Ann Simmons, two brothers-in-law, Billy W. Simmons and Bill D. Collins, and by three sisters-in-law, Kristi Clapp, Betty Clapp and Dona Clapp.

Memorial services will be 2pm, Friday, July 18, 2025, at Bartlesville’s First Baptist Church with Pastor Kevin Dray officiating. Sylvia will be laid to rest in Bartlesville’s Memorial Park Cemetery at a private interment, under the direction of Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home. Visitation will be at the funeral home 9am-8pm, Thursday, July 17, 2025, with family receiving guests from 6-8pm. To send an online condolence, visit www.honoringmemoriesbartlesville.com.