Attrill Levon Sydnor

Attrill Levon Sydnor, affectionately known to his family as Levon, and to his grandchildren as Popeye, was the first-born child of William Attrill Sydnor and Sarah Ida Jones Sydnor in Lawrenceville, Virginia on December 15, 1928. He entered Gods heavenly kingdom on December 16, 2009, in Cheverly, Maryland. He was the big brother to Jacqueline and Ulysses Sydnor. He had a wonderful childhood with a large extended family in Brunswick County, Virginia. His education was at the St. Pauls School, and graduated from St.Pauls College in 1952 with a degree in industrial arts with concentration on electricity. Levon was a proud and faithful St.Pauls alumnus, and once served as President of the alumni association, Washington, DC Chapter. While a student at St.Pauls, Levon met Anna Juanita Manning and they married on May 12, 1952. They spent 41 years together raising their children and enjoying their grandchildren before her passing in June 22, 1993. Levon served in the US Army during the Korean War as part of an all African-American regiment, and was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the war. When he returned from Korea, he started apprenticing as an electrician in the Washington, DC area with Marks Electric, and he and Juanita made their home there. Later he was hired by the US Government as an electrician at the Navy Yard, and later at the DC Government Childrens Center in Laurel, Maryland, and retired in July 1981 after 20 years of service. While Levon was at Childrens Center, he also started a side business doing minor electrical work and later studied and earned a Master Electrician certification so he could contract his own work. After retirement, he did his own contracting work for many years as Sydnor Electric. Some of his work you can see in the Holy Comforter Church main chapel with the light fixtures he installed as part of the church renovation. Levon was born a Baptist, yet became confirmed in the Episcopal Church. He was active in many Holy Comforter activities, and sang in the choir and Seniors Ministry. Levons many activities spanned the church, St. Pauls and the Capitol Hill Kiwanis. He used to garden, loved fishing, traveling and taking a ride either through town or through the countryside. His passion was for helping people, often less fortunate than he was. Levon also loved to play pranks and practical jokes with family and friends, and could always be found with a wide smile. In addition to his brother of Lawrenceville VA and sister of Hampton VA, Levon also leaves to mourn: his children Ralph DebraSydnor of Springdale, MD; Linda Lee Thomas of Newcastle, WA; William Sydnor of Washington, DC, and Denise Simpson of Alexandria VA, grandchildren Brian Marsha Sydnor of Burbank CA, Daniel and Christopher Sydnor of Springdale, MD, Grant Thomas of Newcastle, WA; Sakaia Simpson of Alexandria VA; and great-granddaughter Savannah Sydnor of Springdale, MD; aunts Nellie Shelton and Carrie Sydnor of New York City and Bernice Sydnor of Lawrenceville, VA, uncle Richard Sydnor of New York City, brother-in-law Col. James A. Manning of Lakewood, WA and sisters-in-law Altha Manning of Tallahassee, FL and Jeanne Manning of Lakewood, WA, nephews Arthur Manning of Newport News VA, and Russell Manning of Orlando, FL, and niece Michele William Herman of Auburn WA, a special friend, W. Ann Jones of Alexandria VA, and a host of relatives and friends from across the United States. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to the Bishop John Thomas Walker National Learning Center at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, Washington DC or to Saint Paul's College, Lawrenceville, VA. To send a Life Tribute or Condolences to the Sydnor family, please click the "Sign Guestbook" link below.

Tributes

Attrill Levon Sydnor

December 15, 1928 - December 16, 2009