Sybil O. Raye

Sybil Ola Raye passed away on June 25, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of history, dedication and love.

Sybil was born in Newport, Rhode Island on June 19, 1938, along with her twin sister, Sylvia Mary Reed, who predeceased her at one day old. She was the daughter of Elbert Reed, a Naval officer, and Mildred V. Reed (nee Hicks), a schoolteacher. In 1948, the family relocated to Boston, Massachusetts and the Bronx, New York. Eventually, along with her mother and brother, Elbert Reed Jr., Sybil moved to Staten Island, NY in 1951, where she attended and graduated from P.S. 18 in West Brighton.

In 1955, Sybil became a member of St. Philips Baptist Church. Over the years, she was active in the choir and taught Sunday School. In 1956, she graduated with honors from Curtis High School.

After graduation, Sybil made history as the first African American female employed at The Bank of New York, on Wall Street in New York City.

In 1959, Sybil met Howard Raye and the two were married on August 5, 1961. In 1963, she left employment to start a family and lived in New Brighton.

In 1967, the family relocated to Mariners Harbor. It was there that Sybil had accepted a position at Wallerstein Company, an enzyme and pharmaceutical company, as a dictaphone operator. After the company relocated to South Carolina, Sybil was offered a position at Macy’s at the Staten Island Mall where she again made history as the first African American female associate sales manager. After leaving Macy’s, Sybil devoted her time to raising her children. During those child-rearing years, Sybil worked in administration at All Saints Episcopal Church, Richmond County Savings Bank, Con Edison, Continental Reinsurance Co. and Bear Stearns. She retired from her administrative professional career in 2000.

Sybil loved to attend festivals and cultural events. She was a collector of African and Native American art and a collector of antiques. Sybil loved Doo Wop music, vacationing on cruises, attending yard sales, shopping, and hosting parties. She had a special love for pets, especially her love of cats. She was a life and charter member of the Staten Island Section of the National Council of Negro Women, a member of the Staten Island NAACP and the Staten Island Chapter of the Red Hat Society.

Sybil's husband, Howard, predeceased her on May 23, 2009, after 47 years of marriage. Her son, Terence Howard, predeceased her on July 21, 2024, and her grandson, Nicholas Dante Coleman, predeceased her on August 6, 2024. Sybil is survived by her two daughters Marcia Denise Coleman (Meramon) and Virginia Jeanette Raye, and her grandchildren Kyra Sybil Raye, Jason Dominick Coleman and Desiree Michelle Coleman, and a host of relatives and friends.