Brother Silas Newton Humphries Sr.

Silas Newton Humphries, Sr., 84, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at 4:25 pm. He was born the youngest child of Thomas Allen and Beatrice Sims Humphries in Hopkinsville, Kentucky on May 2, 1935. He moved to Kokomo at the age of 11 in 1946 and graduated from Kokomo High School in 1953. He believed in education and improving his skills which he conveyed to his children. He was a licensed real estate broker, licensed insurance broker, and licensed plumber. Silas was an entrepreneur. He was referred to, by some, affectionately as, “BIG BOSS MAN”. He and his brother Walter built, owned and operated the Humphries 500 Club. He later solely owned and operated the I & N Barbecue Restaurant, car wash and many rental properties. As a pioneer Silas in 1962 made history and was proud to be the 2nd African American man to serve as a Kokomo firefighter. During his tenure, he worked as an assistant driver and dispatcher. A fellow firefighter credits Silas for saving his life on the roof of a burning building. He retired as a firefighter after 20 years of service. He also was employed at Continental Steel and Delco Electronics as a custodian for 10 years. Silas committed himself to the Lord and joined Grace Memorial COGIC where he was loved and well respected. He loved his Pastor, Supt. Milton Jr. and First Lady Glenda Hall and his church family. He enjoyed church services, good singing and good preaching. He also appreciated a good in-depth discussion of God’s Word. He was pleased to have both his sons become ministers of the gospel. He found joy in his family and spending time with them. During his marriage to Julia Dunn Humphries he was blessed with six children who will miss him dearly but rejoice in God’s divine will at his homegoing. His legacy remains to cherish his memory: Darlene (Kenneth) Poulard, Beatrice (Lamont) Broadnax, Silas (Vera) Humphries Jr., Kevin (Brenetta) Humphries Sr., Charla Matthews, and Rhonda White. His grandchildren are Lashawna (Cole) Harn, Dr. Latisha (Jonas) Williams, Kenneth Poulard Jr., Leanna (Raphael) Adeola, Silas Aaron Humphries, Annah (Courtlon) Peters, Kevin Humphries Jr., Brenna Humphries, Shanice Matthews, Kirt Matthews Jr., Tristan White, Tyler White, Tiffani White and Trinity White. His great grands are Julianna and Joshua Harn ,Skye and Eli Williams, Donovan Pittmon, Luke and Eric Adeola, and a host of loving and very special nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, Raymond, Collins, Thomas, Samuel, Walter and Curtis Humphries and three sisters, Ardenia Cary, Retribue Armstrong, and Norma Jean St. Clair. Visitation will be Saturday, January 4, 2019 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Service will follow at 12:00 NOON. Both will be at Grace Memorial COGIC, 1417 N. Delphos St., Kokomo. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Grace Memorial COGIC.