Leon Ward Sylvester Jr.

Leon was born May 17, 1931, to the late Leon Ward and Mary Hardy Murrill Sylvester in Richlands, NC. Leon was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca Perry Sylvester of Raleigh, NC and brother Nathaniel Sylvester of Cape Carteret. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia D. Sylvester; daughter, Mary Beth Hargett (Will) of Greenville, NC; son, Leon Ward Sylvester, III (Lindsay) of Richlands, NC and step daughters, Cheryl Newman (Perry) of Bangkok, Thailand, and Jennifer Fulford (Robbie) of Winston-Salem, NC; grandchildren, Anna Rebecca Hargett, William B. Hargett IV, Leon Ward Sylvester IV, Sallie Lee Sylvester, John Hayden Sylvester, Perry Elizabeth Newman, Ellis Ray Newman, and Fleming Leigh Fulford; sister-in-law, Jane Sylvester of Cape Carteret, and many nieces and nephews.

Leon established a Piggly Wiggly franchise in Richlands, NC in 1959, and expanded the business over the years throughout eastern North Carolina. He remained active in the business until his death.

Leon graduated from UNC – Chapel Hill, and was a life-long Tar Heel fan. He was a faithful and devoted husband and father to his family, and he loved and served his Lord. He was a member of both the Richlands United Methodist Church, and later the Swansboro United Methodist Church. Leon was known to be a very compassionate and generous man.

Funeral Services will be held at Richlands United Methodist church at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 with Pastor Edgar DeJesus and Reverend Scott Dodson officiating. Burial will follow immediately at the Sylvester Family Cemetery in Richlands. Visitation will be Monday evening, August 29, 2016 from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. at the home of Ward and Lindsay Sylvester in Richlands, NC

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Richlands United Methodist Church or Swansboro United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be made at www.johnsonfuneralhomes.com .

ngements under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home, Richlands, NC.