LONOKE — Pastor Sylvester VanBuren II

was born November 16, 1948 in England, Ark., to Sylvester VanBuren and Searcy Lee Brooks VanBuren both of which preceded him in death. His grandparents John and Matilda Shavers of England, Ark., also preceded him in death. He has two sisters Earnestine Woods of Little Rock, Ark., and Rosie Neal of Washington, D.C. Sylvester graduated high school from Gotrell High in 1967. Afterwhich, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1968. He married his high school sweetheart Brenda Ann Harris of Keo, Ark., on December 14, 1969. Sylvester and Brenda had four children, Daran VanBuren, Corey VanBuren, Latonia Tookie Isbell (Korey Isbell) and Christy Bryant all of Lonoke, Ark. Sylvester and Brenda has eight grandchildren being Jody Williams, DeRon VanBuren, Braylin Bryant, Makaila Bryant, K.J. Isabell, Carley Bryant, Luke Isbell and Tamiyah VanBuren. They also have two great-grandchildren, Zayden Yancy and Armani Jenea’ Reed. Pastor VanBuren was called, licensed and ordained to preach the gospel in 1978. After being honorably discharge from the military he attended Arkansas Baptist College for a short time. Sylvester then pursued a career with several companies: Southern Farmers, Kaufman Lumber Company and JB Hunt. While working at JB Hunt, Pastor VanBuren accepted the call to full time ministry of the Progressive Church where he pastored until his demise on Thursday March 7, 2024. Sylvester leaves behind all of the above relatives, one living aunt Rosetta Hart of England, Ark., a host of family friends and his breakfast club.

Public Visitation: Friday, 1-4 p.m. at Robinson Mortuary North Little Rock. Family Hour: Friday, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Life Celebration: Saturday, 12 Noon, both held at Progressive Church, 9895 US-165, Scott, Ark. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary North Little Rock, 4511 E. Broadway St., North Little Rock, Ark. 501-3740111. “A Service You Can Trust.”