Sylvester Ivory Sr.

Sylvester Ivory Sr. Obituary Sylvester Ivory, Sr. was born December 11, 1927 to the union of Charlie Ivory and Eula King in Turrell, Arkansas. Sylvester was raised by his grand-parents Charlie and Lula King along with his uncles and cousins. He loved growing up with his uncles Chris and Ananis, and his cousins Bertha Mae and Jessie Mae. He accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized and attended Union Grove Baptist Church in Turrell, Arkansas. Sylvester grew up in a time, in the south when there were no buses, access to education was limited, and the teacher would sometimes spend the night at his home. In order to learn to read the bible Sylvester went back to school at age 61 and received his high school diploma in Cleveland, Ohio. Sylvester moved from Turrell, Arkansas to Blytheville, Arkansas where he met and married Katherine Taylor; to this union four children were born; Sylvester Jr. (deceased), Andrew Lee, Theopolius Cornelius, and Cathy Faye. Sylvester later moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he met and married the love of his life, Miss Louise Miller. To this union, eight children were born; Rose Marie, Evelyn (deceased), Sylvia Ann, Phillistine, Lucille, Loretta, Steveison, and Margarette. He was a father to everyone. He was known by many names; Dad, Grand-dad, Cecil, Uncle Cecil, Cil, Snap, Deacon, Ivory, Deacon Arkansas, Mr. Charlie, and Mr. Ivory to name a few. Sylvester loved his children, grand-children, great-grand-children, and great-great-grandchildren. He was a devoted, caring father and husband who truly loved his wife, Mrs. Louise Ivory. He held onto a 50+ year old dining room set, refusing to get rid of it because he had bought it for her and it reminded him of her; which still remains in the home today. Although Sylvester truly loved Louise, he might have loved fishing more. He was always ready to go fishing at the mere mention of it. He also enjoyed gardening and looked forward to spring-time every year so he could work in his garden. In the early years, Sylvester worked at J&N Store and Goodwill Industries in Cleveland, Ohio. Later, he obtained a position with the City of Cleveland, Department of Public Utilities, Division of Water and Pollution Control where he was a devoted employee until his retirement. City of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson presented Sylvester with a proclamation on December 11, 2017-his 90th birthday. Mayor Jackson commended Sylvester for his community contributions and his devotion to his neighborhood, proclaiming December 11th, 2017 "Sylvester Ivory, Sr. Day" in the City of Cleveland. Sylvester loved the Lord and served as Deacon at Dunham Avenue Christian Church in Cleveland, Ohio where he also cooked, helped with the hunger program, collecting food for distribution throughout the neighborhood. He was a pillar of the community who touched the lives of many, sharing his wisdom, experience and hope with others and providing service where ever he could. He was also an exceptional father and family man who will truly be missed by those who knew him best. Preceeding him in death was his wife Louise Ivory; his son Sylvester Ivory, Jr., and his daughter Evelyn Dortch, and his brother Steve Brown. He leaves to cherish his memory his ten children; Rose Miller, Andrew Ivory (Denise), Theopollius Ivory, Cathy Ivory, Sylvia Ivory, Phillistine Ivory, Lucille Kelly, Loretta Ivory, all of Cleveland, Ohio; Steveison Ivory (Kerry) of Concord North Carolina; and Margarette Ivory of Cleveland, Ohio; 32 grand-children; 69 great-grand-children; 41 great-great-grand-children, two sisters-in-law, Bettie Speed and Claudia Mae Johnson of Cleveland, Ohio; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sylvester Ivory Sr., please visit our floral store. Read More

Sylvester Ivory Sr.

December 11, 1927 - January 19, 2022