Sylvia Ragsdale is an amateur poet and composer who resides in Indiana. From an early age she wrote poems that were characterized as having too much of a "sing-song" quality. This writing developed into the writing of actual songs, beginning in 1980.

She and her husband, Russel, both write poetry that she has set to music. Her composition, A New Communion, which is published in 99 New Songs, a songbook published in 2003, was performed at the Indiana Academy centennial celebration alumni weekend in 2002.

Ragsdale graduated from Indiana Academy in 1952 and completed a program in Professional Careers, Inc. in 1979. She has a son and a grandson.

2004