Rev. Sylvester Hunter

Rev. Sylvester Hunter, 72, loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather, passed away on Sunday, August, 29th, 2021 at home surrounded by his family.  Sylvester was born on March 28th, 1949 in Mintu, Alabama, the fourth born to Earnest Hunter Sr. and Luevenia Hunter.  Sylvester grew up in Pensacola, Florida and attended 6th Avenue Baptist Church where he gave his life to Christ at an early age. Upon graduation from Wedgewood High School in 1968, Sylvester graduated from Wiley College in Marshall Texas where he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and met the love of his life Janice Maire Gill. Sylvester was also a graduate of Garret Theological Seminary at Northwestern University, studied at Oxford University and received an honorary Doctorate degree.  Sylvester served as a United States Marine Corp Captain.  In 2000, Sylvester Hunter was called to Pastor Union Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Under his 13 year pastorship at Union, Sylvester helped build and push the momentum of the following programs: The Gingerbread House, National Accredited Licensed Child Care Learning Center, UBC Baby Care, UBC Federal Credit Union, Project Impact Fort Wayne, The Project Impact New Life House for Homeless Veterans, UBC Community Development Corporation, UBC Family Life Development Center, UBC HIV/AID Foundation, UBC Project SHIP (Serving Humanities through Innovative Programs), and the Urban Brightest Charter School.  In 2013, Sylvester Hunter formed Uniquely Blessed Ministries with his wife as Co-Pastor and continued to serve God and his community until he parted earth.  Sylvester leaves behind his most precious gifts of wisdom, caring, and leadership to be cherished by his family and is survived by his wife Janice Marie Gill Hunter; his two children - Sylvester Hunter II (Tharshi) and Chloe Jade Hunter-Holloway; and his granddaughter - Savannah Holloway.  He is also survived by his siblings - Anna Mary Coley, Virginia Prince, Earnest Hunter (Sue), Nathaniel Hunter, Mary Jean Hunter, Maria and in-laws - Adrey Bailey (Ted), Deborah Gill, Alfreada Malone, Barbra Gill, Louis Gill III (Carla) and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.  Sylvester was greeted in heaven by his parents Earnest Sr. and Luvenia, and his baby sister Barbra Hunter. Service is at 11:00 am Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 at True Love Baptist Church, 715 E. Wallace St., Fort Wayne, IN 46803, with viewing from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.  He will be laid to rest in Pensacola, Florida.  Arrangements by Divine Mercy Funeral Home.