Deacon Sylvester Michael Rawls Jr.
September 17, 1957 – February 10, 2024
“Junior”, “Velp”
Sylvester Michael Rawls Jr was born to the late Sarah Harrington and Sylvester Rawls Sr on September 17th, 1957, in Ocala, Florida.
He was educated in the Marion County School System (Forest High School) and later attended the College of Central Florida, specializing in Welding & Fabrication. He worked as a Welder for 27 years before retiring in 2017. His older siblings referred to him as “Junior”. He was an excellent protector, friend and mentor.
Sylvester Rawls and Annette Watkins-Rawls were joined together in holy matrimony on February 9th, 2002 in Williston, Fl. She was the love of his life a.k.a “Honey”. In this union, he inherited four children, Schavonne, Ronnie, Aktaveya and Joelle. Sylvester loved his stepchildren and embraced the family life. He had a big heart, loving his wife, family and friends, and his special past time – Fishing.
Sylvester fell in love with Jesus. In his Christian development, he was ordained as a Deacon. He was a member of Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, where he served faithfully as a Deacon. He also loved to pray and sing in the choir. His favorite song was “Love Lifted Me”.
On February 10th, 2024, Sylvester was released from the cares of this world and transitioned to his heavenly home.
He is preceded in death by his father (Sylvester Rawls, Sr.) , mother (Sarah Harrington), brother (Carl Douglas Rawls) and son (Reco Rawls).
Sylvester is survived by his wife: Annette Watkins-Rawls of Ocala, Fl; four children: Schavonne McCarter of Ocala, Fl, Ronnie Watkins Jr. of Ocala, Fl, Aktaveya (Joseph) Wilcox of Micanopy, Fl and Joelle Watkins of Ocala, Fl; two siblings: Brenda Rawls and Addie Rawls all of Ocala, Fl; Godsister: Carsetra (William) Jordan of Georgia; 13 grandchildren; Uncle: John Rawls, Sr. of Ocala, Fl; Aunts: Carolyn (Alvin) Jones of West Palm Beach, Fl, May Stafford of Ocala, Fl and Lillian Ritchie of Ft. Pierce, Fl; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, sorrowing friends and fishing buddies.