Earl Sylvester Caraway

It was a crisp cold winter morning of December 8, 1926, in the small eastern town of Mineola, Texas where Earl Sylvester was born to Zemri and Eula Mae Caraway. He was the ninth of eleven children, one brother died during childbirth. There were six boys, and four girls. Preceding him in death were Albert, Malcolm, Ervin, Marcellis, Gloria Jean, Gladys, and Loucille. Those still living are Oscar Caraway (Bessie) of Mineola, TX and Devoria Jackson, of Tyler, TX. Earl attended Mineola public school and as a youth, was a faithful member of the Sidney Temple Church of God in Christ.

On February 3, 1945, he united in marriage to Latrice Bagsby and to this union four children were born: Peggy Caraway of Florida, Eddie Earl Caraway, Willner Kinchion (Willie), and Ronald Caraway (Roxie) of Oklahoma City.

On December 26, 1946, Earl was inducted into the United States Navy and completed basic training in Bainbridge Maryland. He served two years active duty and received an honorable discharge.

In 1956, Earl was determined to improve the quality of life for his family, so he makes a remarkable decision to move from Mineola TX, to Oklahoma City. His first job there was in downtown OKC, John A. Brown, during the civil rights movement (long hours and little pay). However, it wasn’t long before he was hired by the Oklahoma City Board of Education, where he trained and worked in the maintenance department. He retired in 1991 with more than 30 years of faithful dedicated service.

Spring of 2010, ushered in a new horizon for Earl! He was accepted into the Metropolitan Better Living Center family. His life took on new meaning. This non-profit organization provided stability, love, and outstanding professional care for the elderly and disable. He enjoyed his daily trips to and from the center as well as his new circle of friends. It is no doubt that Metropolitan contributed to his quality of life these past three years!

He was a member of Greater Coates Temple Church of God in Christ, in Spencer, OK, where Dennis Riley, Jr. is pastor, and was a dedicated member until his health failed him. When he was unable to drive, his church members would bring him home on Sundays.

Earl leaves to cherish his memory, his four children; ten grandchildren, Monya, and Michelle; Stevie and Brandon; Taunya and Toni; Reshia, Rena, Ronya and Rondale; sixteen great grand children, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2013. A Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the First Southern Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, OK with internment at Hill Crest Memory Gardens, Spencer, OK.