Born in Chicago, IL, November 7, 1922, Sylvia was the daughter of Joseph Harding and Vivian Smith and the baby sister of Joseph M. Harding and Louis T. Harding, all of whom preceded her in death. She was affectionately called “Sis.”

Sylvia lived 87 years in her beloved Chicago. Born at the Cook County Hospital, she grew up on Chicago’s storied South Side. As a child, she was raised in the Methodist church, Coppin Chapel, and attended Betsy Ross Elementary School and Englewood High School.

Sylvia left high school and worked as a switchboard operator at Western Electric. She later transferred to the higher paying soldering line. She loved being a single woman, dating, and the famous Chicago night life of the 1940’s. Sylvia’s fierce spirit never allowed her to be restricted by societal norms of women during that era. She was drawn to a kindred soul, whom soon became her husband, Carlos Stinnette. Through their union, they were blessed with three children, Romero, Carla, and Ricardo.

Sylvia helped raise many of her nieces and nephews. To better financially care for her family, Sylvia went back to school, obtaining her GED and also her Social Services Public Aide License from Kennedy-King College. She worked as a caseworker in one of the toughest areas in Chicago, Cabrini Green, where she helped change the lives of many of her clients. She was known as the tough lady who always wore “those fly high heels.”

Sylvia was a devoted and faithful member who loved her church, Bryn Mawr Community Church in Chicago, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Carl Wilson. She served as an Usher, attended Bible Study, and was an active participant in the Food and Clothing Pantry and the Cake and Coffee Hour ministries.

“Chalfont is No Chicago, so if I gotta live here, then you gotta find me a church.” In the spring of 2010, events indicated that Sylvia needed to stay in Pennsylvania close to her daughter. Second Baptist Church of Doylestown, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. Robert E. Hamlin, was her “Chalfont” church home, and she looked forward to Sunday service. She delighted in The Back Bench Boys singing and the attention they gave her. She also loved her newfound SBCOD family.

Sylvia loved sewing, making fabulous clothing, cooking, perfecting her pound cake, visiting her grandchildren, traveling to Vegas, playing cards (poker and bid whist), shopping (especially shoes, stilettos preferred), parties, parties and more parties! And she loved her family. Family brought her the greatest joy, especially when we all gathered for any sort of celebration. She made no distinction between family and her friends. Sylvia was everyone’s mother!

Sylvia H. Stinnette died peacefully at Neshaminy Manor in Warrington, PA, surrounded by her family on Thursday, December 21, 2017. She was 95 years young.

She is survived by her three children Romero Stinnette of Chicago, IL, Carla Stinnette-Miller and her husband Conrad Miller of Chalfont, PA, Ricardo Stinnette and his wife Nikki of Austin, TX, her six granddaughters: Raquel Stinnette, Adrienne, Alicia & Anita Sheares, Ariel and Simone Stinnette, and a host of nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great-grand nieces and nephews and many friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Friday, December 29, 2017 from 10:00 AM until her Funeral Service at 11:00 AM, at Second Baptist Church of Doylestown, 6055 Swamp Rd., Fountainville, PA 18923. Her interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Second Baptist Church of Doylestown-Scholarship Fund, 6055 Swamp Rd., Fountainville, PA 18923, or Neshaminy Manor, 1660 Easton Road, Warrington, PA 18976.

Acknowledgements

We sincerely want to thank all the staff at Neshaminy Manor and Hospice Caring for the loving care, comfort, support and guidance provided. Your kind expressions through prayer, calls, text messages, emails, cards, food, flowers, visits and various supportive deeds are deeply appreciated. May God bless each of you richly.

 “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

                                                                           Psalm 30:5 KJV