Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Sylvester David Jones was born on July 15, 1926 to the union of marriage between Stanley and Hazel Jones who raised him in beloved Fayetteville, WV.

He attended school in Fayetteville and graduated high school from the famed “all black” Dubois High School, where he excelled as a star football player and was affectionately known as “Bubbie”. After finishing high school, he was drafted in the Army where he served in Grafenwohr, Germany during WWll. After he was honorably discharged he eventually found his way to the “Motor City” where he met and married his wife of 60 years, Queenester Abston. He worked many jobs, from the auto factories to the US Postal Service and finally retiring from the City of Detroit Water Department.

In Detroit, he was a member of Calvary Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder, Deacon and member and President for a term on “The Men of Calvary”. The men would hold fundraisers, selling dinners, and having raffles to raise money for scholarships to graduating seniors.

Some of his favorite past times were investing in real estate and flea marketing with Queenester, “Queen” as she is affectionately known and camping with “Queen” and his three boys, Darryl, David and godson, Darryl Moore. He was a P. A. L. and BOY SCOUT baseball coach and scout leader, mentoring young boys.

After retirement he and Queen built a home in Palm Coast, FL, where they joined Trinity Presbyterian Church. Sylvester served as a Deacon and member of the Congregational Life and Memorial Committee. He was a mentor and volunteer at the Upstairs School in nearby Bunnell, FL and at Flagler Palm Coast High School, he worked with handicapped boys and as a locker room aide during the football season, as well as a teacher’s aide. On some weekends he would drive cars cross country for the First Flagler Ford Dealership in Palm Coast. He was a member of (AACHO) the Afro-American Caribbean Heritage Organization, the Michigan Club and Friends of the Library. He was an avid reader, loved watching Judge Shows, especially Judge Mathis and Judge Judy.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jerri Brewster; brother, Hylester Jones; sisters, Antornetta Jones and Mildred Streeter; grandson, Gregory Smoker; and great-granddaughter, Aaija Janae Smoker.

Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life are his wife, Queenester; sons, Darryl A. Jones and David L. Jones (wife, Gail); godson, Rev. Darryl S. Moore (wife, Rosemary); grandkids, Bernard Norris, Lillian Jackson, Angela Smoker, and Kimberly McClain as well as a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and his church families.

Memorial service will be 11:00AM Saturday, June 12, 2021 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Fayetteville with Rev. Keith Walker Sr. officiating.

Friends, while wearing gloves and masks and observing social distancing, may view one hour prior to the service.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.