Hundreds of mourners gathered this morning to say goodbye to the "world’s greatest Gypsy woman".

Sylvia Smith, 64, a much-loved member of the Gypsy community, who used to read fortunes and give out lucky heather, died after a battle with cancer.

Related story: Anger at Ewell pubs who closed "for unforseen reasons" just before "good as gold" Gypsy funeral

Related article: 10 facts you may not know about Gypsy funerals

Women dressed in dark fur coats, men in dark suits and children in black gathered at her home in Shire Court, Shortcroft Road, Ewell, where Mrs Smith settled 16 years ago when she gave up travelling.

The sun shone down as a fire burnt in a skip outside - a Gypsy custom marking a death - as large colourful floral tributes were loaded onto a dozen funeral cars and trucks and mourners quietly waited outside.

Your Local Guardian:

Men slowly lifted her coffin through the window of her house - where a wake had been held - and carried it to hearse with a floral dog on top and "mum" and "nanny" written in flowers.

As the procession set off at about 11am, one man walking behind the hearse cried uncontrollably and other mourners put their arms round each other.

Your Local Guardian:

Mourners and cars went down Kingston Road, past the Eight Bells pub and the Wheatsheaf, to the Spring Tavern in Ewell - which were closed during the funeral.

From yesterday: Pubs close as hundreds expected for Wednesday's big Gypsy funeral

From yesterday: Gypsy family apologise for inconvenience as up to a thousand mourners expected for funeral tomorrow

It is thought the procession then went via Epsom Downs - where she used to love race meetings - and on to Christ Church Epsom Common for the funeral service and later to Epsom Cemetery.

Your Local Guardian:

One tribute to Mrs Smith, written in the style of a Sun article, was headlined the "world’s greatest Gypsy Woman".

It said: "Sylvia was a very hardworking lady who would go out selling her lucky heather throughout the country mainly in the London area.

"Sylvia will be sadly missed by all of her family members and all of her friends."

Your Local Guardian:

Ewell Village Residents’ Association Brian Angus, who stood near her home this morning, said: "It’s very sombre and respectful and there are an amazing number of beautiful floral tributes."

Your Local Guardian:

One mourner, who came to pay her respects, said she had visited a chapel of rest, decorated with flowers and candles, created at Mrs Smith’s home.

She said Mrs Smith had a Chihuahua and was devoted to her late husband, adding: "She was a lovely, lovely woman. If she could help you she would."

The world’s greatest Gypsy Woman

Your Local Guardian:

Sylvia Smith’s cousin Angelena Smith said she lived in Epsom for most of her life, travelled when she was young and later settled in Ewell.

She said: “She was happy go lucky, always up for a laugh, very kind, very thoughtful, very generous, a really, really lovely woman.”

Angelena said her cousin once predicted good luck for a man who then went on to win on TV show Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

She said: “She met someone in London and said he would have a big win. She used to love her race meeting at Epsom.” 

She said Mrs Smith had a long battle with thyroid and lung cancer as well as osteoporosis and brittle bone disease.

Mrs Smith was a Christian and member of one of the largest Gypsy families in Surrey.

Related article: 'They have been around as long as anything': museum curator delves into the history of Gypsies in Epsom and Ewell

She was very close to her three brothers and two sisters, married her late husband Henry in 1971 and had two children, Charmaine and Henry.

She had eight granddaughters, two great grandchildren and two grandchildren yet to be born.

Your Local Guardian:

 

Your Local Guardian:

Your Local Guardian:

Your Local Guardian:

Your Local Guardian: