Born in Jennings, LA on Friday, March 24, 1939, the fifth child of seven children to Rivers Kately and Libby Robinson Kately. Deceased brother, Arthur James Kately, Sr.; five deceased sisters, Etta Pearl Kately Augustine, Audrey Jane Kately Capdeville, Bobbie Sue Kately Haley, Rose Marie Kately Adams, and Irma Marie Kately Day.

She attended James Ward Elementary School and was a 1957 Honor graduate of Jeff Davis High School in Jennings, LA.

She was united in Holy matrimony to the Late Mr. LeRoy James Syas.

She taught at Bethune High School in Welsh, LA, Mill Street Elementary School, and later returned to teach at its new name, John J. Johnson II Elementary, and Oak Park Elementary School.  She was an active member of New Sunlight Baptist Church.

Her civic involvement consisted of Gold Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a Life member of Grambling Alumni Association, a member of CAE, LEA, and NEA, Rose Bud Chapter No. 45 Order of the Eastern Stars, Jennings, Aa, Inactive member of the National Association of University Women (NAUW), Camp Fire Volunteer Leader, Recipient of the Wakan Award and the Hii Teni Award, Past member of Sowela Council of Camp Fire Board, volunteer worker for the Heart Fund, Arthritis Foundation, March of Dimes, Leukemia Fund and the Cancer Drive, member of Dorethea A. Combre Business and Professional Women, and member of the Calcasieu Unit of Retired Teachers.