Sylvester Lewis Cowans, Sr., was born on July 14, 1946, in Okmulgee, OK. He was the firstborn of Opal and David Cowans, Sr.

He graduated from Dunbar High School in 1964, where he was the captain of the Dunbar Tigers basketball team.

In 1965, he married the love of his life, Erma Franklin. To this union, three children were born, Sylvia, Angela, and Sylvester, Jr.

The couple moved to Wichita, KS. In 1965, he landed his first job with Steppens Dairy. He also worked for the City of Wichita, then eventually for Union Pacific Railroad, where he was the first Black lead engineer.

Sylvester loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and was a member of the Midnight Star Motorcycle Club. He was also a member of the Emith Temple Shriner Club for a number of years.

Whenever he had a listening ear, he would often talk about his days of playing basketball for the Dunbar Tigers and how high he could jump to make the shots.

When he retired from Union Pacific Railroad, he moved back to his hometown of Okmulgee.

Sylvester was baptized in Jesus' name and was a faithful member of the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, under the ministry of Elect Lady Dianna Humphrey. He sang in the church choir and enjoyed teaching Bible class during the brotherhood service. The book of James was his favorite scriptures from which to teach. He loved the Lord and his family and many times could be overheard, just saying "help me, Lord." Sylvester also enjoyed going camping and fishing, which was his favorite sport, and always kept a fishing pole handy, and bragged  about having a "lifetime fishing license."

Preceding him in death are one daughter, Sylvia, his parents, Opal Belton and David Cowans, Sr., and one brother, Daniel Cowans.

Remaining to cherish his memories are his daughter, Angela (Daveyes) Hoy,  Wichita, KS,  and son, Sylvester, Jr. (Kym) Cowans, Wichita, KS; three grandchildren, Gregory Turnetine, Jr., Cachet D. Turnetine, and Sylvester Cowans, III, and three great-grandchildren, Azariha Turnetine, Zy'aire Turnetine and Zariha Turnetine, all of Wichita, KS; and sisters and brothers, Queen Ester (David) Majors, Tulsa, OK,  David Cowans, Jr., Collinsville, OK, Anna Lewis, Okmulgee, OK, Burnette Cowans, Denver, CO, Joslyn Cowans, Denver, CO, Sherry Cowans, Denver, CO, Dianna Humphrey, Okmulgee, OK,  Carl Cowans, Denver, CO, Martin C. (Georgina) Hammon, Okmulgee, OK, Elizabeth (Sunny) Raibon, Denver, CO, Daverette Cowans, Denver, CO, Marylin (Avery) Banks, Okmulgee, OK, Claudette (Donald) Butcher, Morris, OK, Gary Cowans, Denver, CO, Claudette (Bryan) Buchanan, Denver, CO, Kennard Cowans, Denver, CO, Lennard Cowans, Denver, CO, and  Gerald Todd, Okmulgee, OK.

Services will be Friday February 1, 2019 at 11AM at Mt. Calvary Miracle Temple Apostolic in Okmulgee.

Friends may visit Mr. Cowans on Thursday from 1PM until 3PM in The Okmulgee Chapel.

Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.