Sylvester Styles Sr,

Sylvester was born in Indianola, Mississippi on September 4, 1942, to his loving parents, Issaquena (Butler) and Percy Styles, Sr., both of whom preceded him in death. Four brothers, Tommie, Bobby Joe, Percy Jr., and Willie L.; and two of his children, Sylvester Jr. and Kimberly Ann; also preceded him in death. Sylvester was introduced to Christ by his parents and was baptized in the Sunflower River near St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Inverness, Mississippi. Sylvester’s parents moved their family to Chicago, Illinois in 1956, when he was 14 years old. It was a move that was inspired by the hope of new opportunities as well as the murder of Emmett Till. Sylvester attended school at the Woodburn School in Sunflower County, Mississippi. He later graduated from Cregier Vocational High School in Chicago. He then enrolled in Crane Junior College, becoming the first person in his family to attend college, starting the family’s long tradition of higher education. After college, and from his first marriage, four children, Veronica, Sylvester Jr., Maurice, and Kimberly, were born. On June 1, 1974, he married Nellie Ann Longstreet, and to that union, one child, Eric, was born. Sylvester worked several jobs to provide for himself and his family, such as bicycle telegram courier, draftsman, mover, UPS semi-truck driver, and the CEO of S & N Service Trucking Company. His last and most rewarding job was raising and caring for his four grandchildren, Saquenna, Stephanie, Mercedes, and William W. He retired after a long career of helping others. He was an avid reader, race car driver, amateur golfer, and gardener. Many of his nephews, nieces, children, grandchildren, and friends remember enjoying delicious hot meals that he prepared in his home. His family was accustomed to seeing him on the move. He was more dependable than the mail! He traveled to visit family for reunions, funerals, and vacationed on cruises and road trips, by bus, train, and planes, often accompanied by his wife, children, and grandchildren. He took special pride in attending all of his children’s and grandchildren’s graduations, weddings, and special occasions. On the morning of September 17, 2021, after an extended illness, Sylvester went home to be with the Lord. Sylvester leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Nellie, of 47 years; one daughter, Veronica (Willie) Stanfield; two sons, Maurice and Eric; one brother, Johnnie (Jackie); three sisters, Lovie Burton, Edna Styles, and Alberta (Willie) Smith; 15 grandchildren, Maurice Jr., Dominique, William S., Carnell, Saquenna (Jerry), Stephanie (Dwayne), Martece, Demarius, Mercedes, William W., Taleesa (Lamonte), DeVante, Mahoghany, Marteka, and Jerriana; two sisters-in-law, Sandra Styles and Jackie Styles; one special uncle, John Ray Bender; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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