Sylvester Newton

Sylvester was born in July of 1936 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Edgar Williet and Alberta Jones whom also had his older sister, Mary Lee Hagan in 1930.

His life was well-traveled due to his variety of jobs; beginning with joining the Army at the age of 17. He served for 2 years before having an honorable discharge and married the love of his life, Claretha on August 2,1955. They were married for 66 years upon his passing.

College was attended in Pine Bluff, Arkansas where Sylvester studied the art of tailoring. Upon completion of his studies, he worked as an apprentice under another tailor to further his education and experience.

Though his passion and work as a tailor continued throughout his life, Sylvester had many other jobs including working as the first African American Firefighter and EMT (5 years) in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

While living in Los Alamos, he worked for Atomic Energy Commission and opened a tailoring business with his wife. Beginning in 1972, when the family lived in Lompoc, California, Sylvester worked diligently as a corrections officer for 5 years. He moved his tailoring passion with him when he moved to Seattle in 1977 and had a store in Burien on 1st ave from 1982 to 1992. After closing the shop, he soon reopened in 1995 on Ambaum Blvd in Burien until retirement in 2006.

Even though he “retired” in 2006, his hard-working and never-idle nature allowed him to work with United Airlines as a manager with the receiving desks and also serve as a loving and attentive caregiver for Full Life Care beginning in 2009. Sylvester fully retired in 2013.

Sylvester Newton was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Williet, Alberta Jones and his sister Mary Lee Hagan. He is survived by his loving wife Claretha Newton, two adored children Felecia K. Corbin and Marvin C. Newton, seven wonderful grandchildren, four treasured great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

The Committal service and military honors for Sylvester Newton is to be held at Greenwood Memorial Park and Funeral Home on Friday, October 1st at 2pm and will be officiated by Pastor James Duncan. Military Honors will be performed by the Army Honor Guard based at JBLM. Charles Newton, Marso Newton-Haynie, and Chris Newton will be honoring Sylvester's life and legacy by participating as the pallbearers for the service.

The family wishes to extend their thanks to the outpouring of love, support and especially prayers during this time.