Francis Douglas Sylvest Sr., 88, the eldest son of the late Rev. Hammond Alex and Arebell Spinks Sylvest, was born on May 24, 1925. He passed away in his home on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013 at 12 a.m., deceased from Alzheimer’s and Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia.

He was a Navy veteran of World War II, 1943-1946, retired captain from Baton Rouge Fire Department with 20 years of service and retired state fire marshal with 12 years. A former member of Weller Avenue Baptist Church in Baton Rouge and member of Sunlight Baptist Church, Franklinton, he served as deacon in both churches. Douglas helped organize the Seaman’s Center Ministry in Baton Rouge and also helped Bro. Vandercook with the New Orleans Seaman’s Mission.

He is survived by seven children, Mary Frances (Barry) Pence, Carolyn S. Hughes, F. Douglas Jr., Howard (Debbie), Beverly (William) Mills, John (Pat) and Carmen Louise (Henry) Welch; 11 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and a brother, Dwight.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise of 57 years and 9 months; five grandsons, John Donaldson Jr., Barry Pence Jr., Mark and Stephen Sylvest and William Charles McArthur Mills.

Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home in Franklinton Tuesday, Nov. 19th from 6-9 p.m. and will continue Wednesday at 9 a.m. A religious service will be held at 11 a.m. in the chapel with Rev. Milton Kliesch and Rev. Sammy Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Pilgrim Rest Cemetery.

Honorary Pallbearers are brother Dwight; sons; sons-in-law Henry and Barry; Arnold Martin; great-grandsons Nate Horsman and Joel Welch; and great-great-grandsons Liam Thacker and John Micheal Donaldson.

Pallbearers are grandsons Henry Jr. and John Jr.; great-grandsons John A. Donaldson III, Jacob Holmes, Jacob Young and Austin Frasier; and grandsons-in-law Chris Morgan and Nicholas Saites.

The obituary can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com.