Sylvester Lockhart, Sr.

Sylvester Lockhart, Sr. passed away peacefully and entered into the arms of his Savior on Monday, July 13, 2020. He was 67 years young, born on August 4, 1952 in Frenchman’s Bayou, Arkansas to John Lockhart and Mosia Lee Hudson.

Sylvester, known by most as “Sly”, made history in Arkansas by being a part of the first class of African- American students to integrate Shawnee High School. He graduated from J. M. Speck High School in Frenchman’s Bayou, Arkansas and attended Southern Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas for three years.

Sly accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church in Frenchman’s Bayou. After migrating to Saginaw, he became a member of Greater Freewill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. James L. Dorsey, where he served as trustee, member of the male chorus, deacon and later an ordained minister.

Sly was a part of The Great Migration, leaving the south for the north to have a better life. Before leaving Arkansas, he was employed as a Deputy Sheriff. He became employed at Saginaw Steering Gear in 1974 and retired after twenty-seven faithful years.

Sly owned multiple businesses in the Saginaw community, including S&M Lockhart Landscape and Snow Plow, Lockhart’s Car Wash and Detail, and Lockhart’s Limousine Service. He made history within Saginaw County by becoming the first African-American to own a limousine service. He was a member of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce and a mentor to young entrepreneurs.

Sylvester loved helping others, spending time with family, listening to country music and blues, sharing memories and telling others about his accomplishments. He was an avid lover of sports cars, in particular, Corvettes, as he purchased several throughout the years. He also loved basketball and wrestling, two passions he passed on to son, Sylvester II. He was genuine, kind, loving, and a good friend that would support anyone who was in need. His hard work ethic and legacy of entrepreneurship is still alive in his children and the work he has done now speaks for him.

Sylvester was preceded in death by his parents, John Lockhart and Mosia Lee Hudson; siblings, Joe Jones, Theotis Keys, John Lockhart, Shelley Lockhart and Ruthie Sykes.

He leaves precious memories with his wife, Anita Lockhart; children, Ericka Williamson, Saginaw, Michigan, Tynsley (Pastor Andreas) Parsley-Williams, Charlotte, North Carolina, Sylvester II (Pashanta) Lockhart, Meagan Williams, both of Saginaw, Michigan; grandchildren, Kebbi II (Andrea) Kelley, Kiaris Kelley, Jalen-Anthony Wright, Jayden Lockhart, Annaleigh Williams, Ariston Niko Williams, Andreas Jr. (Jacasia) Parsley-Williams, Jalen Parsley-Williams, Aeneas Parsley-Williams; siblings, Reatha Hudson, Detroit, Michigan, Verla Harding, Benton Harbor, Michigan, Bettie (Joe Jr.) Bryant, Waterford, Mississippi, Earlene Macklin, Osceola, Arkansas, Roosevelt (Marie) Lockhart, Southfield, Michigan, Deborah (Michael) Bass, St. Clair Shores, Michigan, Leroy (Catherine) Lockhart, Joe (Delores) Washington, Kevin (Brenda) Love, all of Joiner, Arkansas, Everett Washington, Dothan, Alabama, Jerry Love, Marion, Arkansas; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends, including special friends Robert Martin, Melvin Dubose, James Gust and Donald Graves.

The family would like to express special thanks to Ruben and Victor Colon, Ruthie DeLeon, Covenant Healthcare Staff, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.

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