Sylvia McNeil

Sylvia Delores Jefferies Hayes McNeil was born in Chester, PA, on July 14, 1932. She peacefully went home to be with the Lord early Friday morning, April 5, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Deacon John W. Jeffries and Missionary Adlean Sallard Jeffries and was married to the late Calvin C. McNeil, Sr. Sylvia attended Booker T. Washington Elementary School and Chester High School. Her passion for nursing led her to pursue a healthcare career. She graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) from Chester Hospital in October 1958. She continued her educational journey, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Bridgeport. Sylvia achieved the milestone of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) on September 23, 1997. Dedicated to serving others, Sylvia began her nursing career at the VA Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Later, she relocated to Connecticut, transferring her skills and compassion to the VA Hospital Medical Center in West Haven. She was also employed at Yale New Haven Hospital and A & J Personnel, serving over 40 years. Her faith journey began in Chester, PA, where Sylvia accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Personal Savior at First Pentecostal Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Strobahr. Upon moving to New Haven, CT, she joined Mount Hope Temple Church under the guidance of the late Bishop Jerimiah Covington, later becoming a member of New Light Holy Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Kenneth A. Washington, Sr., and the late Bishop Lewis P. Miller where she was ordained as a Deacon. Sylvia's love for missions was evident as she traveled to conventions, convocations, and foreign fields, working diligently alongside the Mission Department President, the late Elder Rebecca McKiver. Sylvia became a member of Victory Temple church on September 11, 1988, under the late Elder John T. Daniley and now under the leadership of Elder Darlene Hayes Daniley. Sylvia devoted herself to the Mission Department, serving as the Mission President. Under her leadership, the Mission Department provided invaluable support to local missions and missionaries in foreign lands, including trips to Africa, Haiti, Barbados, and Bermuda. Sylvia led with grace and dedication. At a young age she developed a love for music. She began playing the organ for Grace United Methodist church in Chester, PA to New Light Holy Chuch, and finally Victory Temple church.. For over 20 years she was the musican of New Light Senior choir. A passionate lover of hymns, Sylvia's hands would move instinctively to play or sing favorites such as "Throw Out the Life Line," "If Jesus Goes With Me I’ll Go," "Standing on the Promises," "What a Fellowship," “ Blessed Quietness,” “ Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” “God Leads Us Along,” “ Heavenly Sunlight, Make Me a Blessing”, “Oh I Want to See Him, Ready”, “Tell It to Jesus”, “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart” , “Where Jesus is tis Heaven There,” and "At the Cross." Sylvia is preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth A. Clayton and Nannie Cheatham, and two brothers, John Curtis Jeffries and Joseph N. Jeffries. She leaves behind her children: Sylvia G. Hayes, Darlene Hayes Daniley, Christine D. Washington (Bishop Kenneth A. Washington Jr), Calvin C. McNeil, Jr. (Michelle), and bonus daughter, Dr. Beryl Irene Bailey. She was a loving grandmother to, Johnetta Daniley, Demetrius Daniley, Savien Daniley, Kenneth A. Washington III, Kyle Washington (Leslie), Nicole Washington, Shirley Joyner, Denise Joyner, Caprice McNeil (Antione), Latrece Santiago, Natrece Mayes, Yvette McKoy, Virginia Bailey-Barnes (Raymond). Great-grandchildren Edison Santiago, Destiny Joyner, Zyaire Burrell, Audre figueroa, Emil Santiago, Ja’lani Daniley, Nori Rogers-Daniley, and Raymond Barnes, Jr. Sylvia is survived by her sister, Ms. Dorothy Farley of Hampton, VA, and remembered fondly by her nieces Dawn Saunder (Curtis), Joan Cheatham, Mia Cheatham, Jenelle Iloabanafor (Amechi ), Jeannette Smith, Rosalyn Jeffries, Renee Smith, and nephews Douglass Jeffries (Karen), Anthony Farley (Miranda ), Shayne Farley (Tranise), Eric Clayton (Dee), John Roberts, and Trevor Jeffries. Special cousins Nannie Jeter, Leora Goens, Benjamin Sallard (Catherine), close friends Carol Jenkins and Elder Florida Baskin. Victory Temple Church Family, and many more family and friends dear to her. Grand pets Bella, Artemis, Cody, Kenzie. Humbly submitted by the family.

Sylvia McNeil

July 14, 1932 - April 5, 2024