Sylvester Jerome Barnes, born on August 5, 1921 in Scotland, MD, passed on Thursday, October 16, 2015.

Family and friends will unite on Saturday, October 24, 2015 for visitation at 10 am until time of service at 11 am at First Missionary Baptist Church, 46370 Pegg Ln, Lexington Park, MD 20653. Interment to follow at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 22375 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653.

As a teenager, Sylvester's father asked him to assist with cutting his hair. Being an obedient son, he obliged his request and did such a fine job, that his father often insisted that he cut his hair on a regular basis. Having gained the experience from cutting his father's hair, Sylvester started to cut other family and community members' hair as well.

As the years progressed and with a war looming in the background, Sylvester was called to Army duty in World War II in 1942. While in service of the United States Army, Sylvester continued to cut hair for both the enlisted men and officers and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant.

Sylvester married his wife, Isabella Kane in 1943 and upon returning home from the war, went to work for the railroad. Sylvester never lost his love of cutting hair and soon resumed his beloved vocation full time; first in Washington D.C. for almost a decade and later back in St. Mary's County. Sylvester was one of the few original black barbers in the county and with close proximity to Patuxent River Naval Air Station, he met and serviced many military personnel over the years.

In his spare time, Sylvester enjoyed the water and his knowledge allowed him to counsel and instruct, many in the art of crabbing and fishing in the area waters.

Sylvester was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years and is survived by a son and three grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: UNCF
1805 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 - http://give.uncf.org.