Korey Javonn Sylver

Korey JaVonn Sylver was born on September 22, 1977 at Hampton General Hospital (Hampton, VA).  He was the second of three children born to Herbert Owen and Peggy Bryant Sylver.  He was preceded in death by his Dad Herbert O. Sylver, and his grandparents William and Lucy Sylver (Lynch), and Frank and Naomi Foy Bryant.

Korey grew up in Hampton’s historic Aberdeen community, and was a member of the Aberdeen Raiders football team under the leadership of Coach Linwood Harper and Coach Gary Moore (Coach Mo’).  As a young adult, Korey himself became an Aberdeen Raider’s coach.

Educated in the Hampton Public Schools System, Korey attended Aberdeen Elementary School, Jefferson Davis Middle School (now Caesar Tarrant), and Bethel High School.  While at Bethel, he traveled and performed with the Show Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Rose.  He was also selected for lead roles as a member of the Drama Club. 

Upon high school graduation, Korey attended North Carolina A&T State University, where his major was Drama.  He later attended Thomas Nelson Community College.  Korey’s employment included Revco Drug Store, West Telemarketing, the Fannuel Group, (known now as Verizon), the Denbigh House, (a vocational rehabilitation clubhouse for individuals with brain injury) and Goodwill Retail Center.  While at the Denbigh House, Korey was invited to attend a session of the Virginia General Assembly to promote brain injury awareness.  Korey wrote several articles for the Denbigh House’s newsletter, including an article on perseverance, which has inspired many.

In his youth, Korey accepted Christ as his savior while attending Little Zion Baptist Church (Hampton), under the leadership of Pastor James Walter Dodd.  He served as a child/youth usher and participated in all other activities for children and youth, including singing with the Angel Choir and the Young Voices of Zion young adult Choir. 

Korey became a member of Gethsemane Baptist Church in 1994.  At Gethsemane, Korey was a member of New Dimensions Choir, the Media Ministry, and A.C.T. 2 Theater Ministry.  

Korey loved music and enjoyed recording music with his friends.  One of their favorite songs was “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday,” by Boyz II Men.

Korey loved to travel, and especially enjoyed taking his first cruise with his family in December 2019.  Over the years, he developed a love for walking.  After God delivered him from cardiac arrest in 2007, he would sometimes walk miles during a day, and enjoyed time at the gym as well.

Korey and his daughter Samaia, the joy of his life, spent quality time together, such as taking in a movie and a meal at one of their favorite restaurants, Greene Turtle. As a child, Samaia worked hard not to let her Dad defeat her at Monopoly, one of the many board games they would play on game night.  Throughout her life, Korey was front and center as a proud father for EVERY major event, graduation and many other ceremonies for Samaia.  She is his greatest gift and his proudest legacy.

Korey’s nephews and nieces affectionately called him “Uncle K.”  They always looked forward to visits with him, because he would excitedly join them at play, even if his favorite sports teams, the Philadelphia Eagles or Miami Dolphins, were playing.

Korey never met strangers, and maintained lifelong friendships he developed during his childhood.  Among his many friends, schoolmates and coworkers is a special group of friends called “HP.”  The group members have always lightheartedly insisted they will never divulge the meaning of the name “HP.”  From Korey’s family’s perspective, however, “HP” must stand for “Honorable People,” because that is who God has grown these men to be.

Korey’s daughter, Samaia Cherie Sylver, remains to cherish his memory. Additionally, Korey is survived by his mother, Peggy B. Sylver; siblings Raymond and NaKeisha Blount, Freeman and LaToya White, and adopted siblings Bryan and Anita Bennett; nephews and nieces Jenise and Aleia Blount, Malachi and Kendrick White, and Devin and Haili Bennett.  Korey is also survived by aunts and uncles Alice Stewart, Sandra Sylver, Lucy Sylver, Rev. Jimmy and Ethel Darrisaw, W. Price and Naomi Goree, Linda Faye Bryant, and Pastor Sharon B. Sanders.  Korey is further survived by his many cousins and special, lifelong friends, including the Flemming, Franklin, MacKey, Mumford, Powell, Jones and Ruffin families.

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