Sylvia Faye Howard was born to Caster and Lula Howard on June 26, 1953 in Mobile, Alabama. At the age of 7 years old, the family moved to Babylon, New York. Sylvia went to Babylon Memorial Grade School and Babylon Jr. Sr. High School. After graduation, she continued her education at Suffolk County Community College earning an Associate of Arts Degree. She went on to Stony Brook University graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education.
After college, she entered the banking industry where she worked for 29 years, culminating with her tenure at Suffolk County National Bank.
Sylvia was married to John Graham from July 24, 1974 until 1979.
Sylvia gave birth to her daughter, Cynthia Graham, on April 11, 1979. Twelve years later, she gave birth to her son, Aaron Howard, on December 20, 1990. She was so proud of them.
In her youth, Sylvia attended Ebenezer Baptist Church where Rev. Pittman and Rev. Stringfield were the pastors during that time. At the age of 15 years old, Sylvia was Baptized and held the position of Sunday School Secretary. In her adult years, her sister became her pastor, Apostle D. G. Mohammed, Senior Pastor of Vision Torches Of Life Ministries, Inc.
Sylvia, known as Sister Faye, held the position of Church Secretary and President of Helps Ministry where she assisted and encouraged each ministry and member to be their best. She was a faithful member and is irreplaceable.
Sylvia enjoyed music, board games, puzzles and movies topped off with a bag of potato chips and a soda any day. She was ambidextrous and able to sew. She could sew anything from blouse, skirt, to making a pants suit. She made a Butterick pattern come to life. Sylvia also enjoyed crocheting sometimes. She crocheted a queen-sized bedspread and sham that ended up being lost, which is a comical story for another day. She was proud to be the adult family member the kids could call on to get them out of trouble. It wasn't strange to find kids from all walks of life lovingly calling her "Aunt Faye." Recalling drives in the snow to check on others and surroundings (before learning that only emergency vehicles were allowed on the roads) would make her laugh every time. She enjoyed that as much as seeing an Al Green concert, listening to Patti Labelle and singing in the garage with her sisters being the Temptations, Gladys Knight and the Pips or the Supremes.
Sylvia loved to travel to many places. She was blessed to have her lifelong friend since college, Jean, to travel with to Hawaii. Fun adventures to be told!
She became ill on March 8, 2014. With every hurtle to overcome, she would miraculously bounce back to be able to put together a puzzle, play board games, dominoes, and beat us at Yahtzee...until she couldn't. The family was thankful that she was blessed to have a caring staff for the most part; but after a 5 1/2 year struggle, she succumb to her illness. Sylvia gave love and received love. She was a blessing to all who knew her.
Sylvia is survived by her children: Daughter - Cynthia Graham, Son -Aaron Howard Her Siblings: Caster Howard, Jr. and his wife Denise, Doris Mohammed, Ursula Howard-Willingham and a host of nieces and nephews, loved ones and friends. Family will receive friends at Claude R. Boyd-Spencer Funeral Home, 448 W. Main St., Babylon, Saturday, September 21, 2019, 9am-11:30am. Funeral service will follow at 11:30am-1:30pm, officiated by Apostle Debra E. Gause, Senior Pastor of Holy Light Pentecostal Church. Interment to follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park. Repass will follow at Ebeneazer Baptist Church, 33 Cooper Street, Babylon, NY.
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