Francis Douglas Sylvest, Sr.

FRANCIS DOUGLAS SYLVEST, SR. eldest son of the late Rev. Hammond Alex and Arebell Spinks Sylvest was born in Washington Parish on May 24, 1925. He passed away at the age of 88 on November 17, 2013 at 12am. Deceased from Alzheimer’s and Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia. After being released from Our Lady of Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, Douglas returned to his home in Franklinton under Hospice Care. He went to be with his Lord and Savior a day later. Heartfelt appreciation to his daughters Carolyn and Mary for taking great care of him for years. Granddaughter Heather, her parents Carmen and Henry Welch whom he lived with these last few months. Hood Home Health nurses Lori and Amy, an aide Kimberly. Hospice and Palliative Care nurses Linda and Barry. Douglas, a Navy Veteran of WWII served on the restored Battleship U.S.S. W. VA. and U.S.S.HYDE APA -173 from 1943 - 1946. He met his late wife Mary Louise Booty in high school and both were members of Spring Creek Baptist Church where his father, the Rev. Hammond A. Sylvest pastored. He returned and graduated at Franklinton High School in 1943. Douglas and Louise were happily married 57 years and 9 months before her passing and are the parents to seven children, Mary Frances (Barry) Pence, Carolyn S. Hughes, both of Franklinton, LA, Francis Douglas Jr. of Bull Shoals, AR, Howard (Debbie) of Denham Springs, LA, Beverly (William) Mills of Lewisburg, TN, John (Pat) of Franklinton, LA and Carmen Louise (Henry) Welch of Walker, LA. 11 grandchildren, Lisa, Angela, Nicole, John Jr., Rachel, Henry Jr., Susan, James, Heather, Rebecca and Ally. 23 Great Grandchildren and 4 Gr. Gr. grandchildren. Also survived by a brother Dwight and numerous relatives. He is preceded in death by five grandsons, John Donaldson Jr., Barry Pence Jr., brothers Mark and Stephen Sylvest and William Charles McArthur Mills. Douglas, a retired Captain from Baton Rouge Fire Dept. with 20 years of service and retired State Fire Marshall with 12 years. A former member of Weller Avenue Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, La. and member of Sunlight Baptist Church, Franklinton, La. where he first attended at the age of 3 when his parents were Chartered Members. He served as deacon in both churches and Rev. Herschel B. Dean Ordained him as Minister while at Weller Avenue. Douglas helped organize the Seaman's Center Ministry in Baton Rouge, 26 churches in Judson Assoc. participated and also helping Bro. Vandercook with New Orleans Seaman’s Mission. He did mission work in numerous states of N. America as well as S. America. "He lived a life of service to others, trying to make a difference and making a difference." Douglas had many favorite Bible verses as well as Christian songs. In Lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations to a charity of choice. Honorary Pallbearers: his brother Dwight, his 3 sons, son-in-laws Henry and Barry, neighbor Arnold Martin, Grandsons James Mills, Preston Salassi, Great Grandsons Nate Horsman and Joel Welch, Great Great Grandsons Liam Thacker and John Micheal Donaldson. Pallbearers: Grandsons Henry Jr., John Jr., Great Grandsons John A. Donaldson III, Jacob Holmes, Jacob Young and Austin Frasier and grandsons-in-law Chris Morgan and Nicholas Saites. Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home Tuesday November 19th from 6 pm until 9 pm and after 9 am on Wednesday. A funeral service will be held at 11 am Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Milton Kliesch and Rev. Sammy Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Pilgrim Rest Cemetery. Obituaries can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com

Francis Douglas Sylvest, Sr.

May 24, 1925 - November 17, 2013

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Francis Douglas Sylvest, Sr.

May 24, 1925 - November 17, 2013

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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