Sylvia E Johnson Blount Obituary

ORDER OF SERVICE

Rev. Dr. Russell Shaw, Sr., Presiding

PRELUDE Music

FINAL VIEWING

Manson Mortuary Service

OPENING SELECTION

Letitia Sutton

SCRIPTURES

OLD TESTAMENT

Psalms 145:17-21

NEW TESTAMENT

II Corinthians 5:1-10

PRAYER OF COMFORT

Taj K. Blount-Oden (Grandson)

MUSICAL SELECTION

Letitia Sutton

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Constance Boswell (Sister)

OBITUARY

Nia Hooper-Mason (Goddaughter)

REFLECTIONS

Nia Oden-McCann & Ayana Knight (Granddaughters)

Tiffany Finch (Niece)

William Jordan (Godson)

Howard Williams (Former Student)

MUSICAL SELECTION

Letitia Sutton

EULOGY

Rev. Dr. Russell Shaw, Sr.

Services Turned Over to Manson Mortuary Service

RECESSIONAL

THE COMMITTAL, BENEDICTION & INTERNMENT

Andrews Memorial Park

Williamston, North Carolina

REPAST

E.J. Hayes Alumni Center

705 Washington Street

Williamston, North Carolina

look into sylvia’s beautiful life

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

—Nehemiah 8:10

Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. —Joshua 1:9

Phenomenal Woman

DR. MAYA ANGELOU

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size But when I start to tell them, They think I’m telling lies. I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can’t touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can’t see. I say, It’s in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I’m a woman

Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

Now you understand Just why my head’s not bowed. I don’t shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say, It’s in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, ‘Cause I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

Sylvia E. Johnson Blount

God knew what he was doing when he blessed us with a loving, giving and nurturing soul in Sylvia, or Syl as she was affectionately called. She was the middle child who learned at an early age the importance of caring for family and friends. In her early life she was surrounded by a family of educators. Sylvia was called to teach as well. She was giving and made sure those around her felt loved, by preparing a Southern meal from scratch to make others feel at home, or by engaging them intellectually, offering guidance while caring for their hearts—Sylvia nurtured many from the inside and out.

Today we celebrate Sylvia’s life, her gifts, and her positive impact on the souls of many. Mom, Ma, Nana, Momma Blount Syl, Auntie, Silvie, Ms. Sylvia, and even BlueberryBanana Blount, were the various endearing names she was called because of their mutual connection, respect and adoration. She was the fifth child and second daughter born to hardworking and loving parents, Charlie Mack Johnson (deceased) and Willie Ann McNair (deceased), siblings, Charlie Mack, Jr. (deceased), Samuel (deceased), Mary Ann (deceased), Clifton (deceased), Kenneth (Mary Catherine), Patricia (deceased), Constance (Cornelius), Harry (deceased) (Cheryl) and Henry Lewis (deceased). She attended Cornerstone Baptist Church as a young child. Her siblings knew how much Sylvia took care of them growing up, as well as how much she loved to share her opinion, debate, counsel, tell jokes, or enlighten them with historical facts about her life—time together was time well spent.

Sylvia always exhibited an unwavering strength, a keen focus and lived a purpose driven life. Her love for children, especially her own, was a blessing and lifetime gift. Stan, her first born and only son, and daughters, Sherri and Ravonda (a.k.a. Nikki), built upon her legacy of love with their own children. Sylvia often said, “Let gratitude be your attitude.”

Sylvia was also committed to her education. She worked full-time when she began as a volunteer at C.S. 21-The Crispus Attucks School, in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn. She excelled as an educational assistant and graduated with high honors when she completed her bachelor’s in Sociology degree from the College of New Rochelle. Additionally, she earned credits towards her master’s degree with a determination to graduate before her children graduated college. She surpassed this tremendous challenge. As PTA President, Sylvia trailblazed in that role for 16 years. The Sylvia Blount Youth Development Center at C.S. 21 was dedicated in her honor years later. With increasing health challenges, Sylvia retired after 28 years as a Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialist at C.S. 21, under the transformational leadership of Dr. Adelaide L. Sandford, Drs. Lester and Renee Young, and the amazing teachers, staff and alumni of C.S. 21. C.S. 21 was where her heart smiled and where Stan, Sherri and Ravonda also attended.

This is a testament to her leadership, dedication to children being educated about the negative effect of drugs on their body, and edcational advocacy were the pillars of her illustrious career.

Sylvia and other parents organized the school’s hiring committee and petitioned for unqualified teachers to be released, coordinated anti-gun violence student rallies, advocated for equal access to new educational facilities earmarked for other districts, challenged NYC Dept. of Education, as well as the judicial court system. Her resume of educational victories was born from her lifting her voice for equity, access, and to support their birthright—the right to a quality education.

Sylvia was one of the foot soldiers for Roots Revisited, a notfor-profit grassroots organization, with Kofi Hooper, which afforded many students opportunities to enhance their educational experience by building a foundation of cultural pride across the African diaspora. Roots Revisited toured Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Harriet Tubman House, Frederick Douglass Gravesite, (continued on next page)

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and many Underground Railroad Historic tours through Canada, Maryland, and New York State. She was proud of students being given a chance to experience the richness of their ancestral roots in West Africa, Brazil, Jamaica, and Canada.

You may have heard Syl say at one time or another, “Girl, let me tell you…sit down here!” or “Come on over. In my house, you’re not a guest—you’re at home!” “Hey, sweety plum!” Her greatest joy was the birth of her grand-children, and most recently her great-grandchildren. You would overhear her say, “Hi, Sugar-foot”, or, “Ayyy boobaloo”, or “Hello Pumpkin,” while speaking to her babies.

Although she gave birth to one son, and two daughters, she had many sons and daughters, many brothers and sisters, cousins and friends, across the globe.

Throughout Sylvia’s life, her faith never waned. She was a faithful member of Bethany Baptist Church in Brooklyn for many years before her health declined. Her dependence on earth’s angels grew, but she never gave up. When she returned to her home state of N.C. and into her new

home on Happiness Road, her connection with people grew stronger. To get to Happiness Road, you turn on Perseverance Dr. The street names were not by mistake, but by God’s divine design. She kept the faith that she would walk again and her prayer warriors never gave up. Caregivers provided daily quality care. They will always have a special place in our hearts—their love run deep.

We are certain that; her daughters, Sherri Knight and Ravonda Oden (Kelvin), Grandchildren Seniqua Moore; Ayana Knight (LJ), Nia Oden-McCann (Jordan), Taj Blount-Oden (Brianna), Great Grand-children Alana Bass, Isiah McNair, Bryson McCann, Lakota McNair, Ariah McCann, and brother, Kenneth Johnson (Mary Catherine), sister, Constance Boswell (Cornelius), sister-in-law, Cheryl Ballard, and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends, touched her soul as she touched theirs.

Earth angels, whatever endearing name you called Sylvia or she called you, it was with love. She has shown us all the power of prayer. She was a precious jewel, a gift to many and will be missed—a phenomenal woman indeed. Sylvia, rest in eternal peace.

The family wishes to thank each and everyone for their many expressions of love and support during our time of bereavement. No matter the act of kindness shown, whether great or small, please know that you played a very important part in helping us when we needed you the most. May God’s blessings overflow in your life.

A heartfelt thank you to Bethany Baptist Church, Pastor Adolphus Lacey, Deacon Randolph, members of Bethany’s Prayer Ministries and Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Russell Shaw, Sr. for their unconditional love and support.

Ms. Kim, CNA Network Leader

Ms. Coffey Trapp

Ms. Angele

Ms. S.T. Mensa

Ms. Shonesha

Ms. Yulonda

Ms. Phyllis Moore

Ms. Odell

Harrisburg EMS

YAdinkra Symbol: Dwennimmen

Ms. Nomzamo

Levine & Dickson Hospice House

Harrisburg Fire Station #2

(Ram’s Horn) Means Humility & Strength