Mr. Sylvester Harold Saunders

SYLVESTER HAROLD SAUNDERS, known as Harold and affectionately nicknamed “Bodie,” was born in Washington, DC, on June 2, 1941, to Mamie and Sylvester Saunders. Harold was the third of six children. He passed away at the age of 84 on June 25, 2025, after a long illness. Harold was educated in the D.C. Public Schools, graduating from Spingarn High School in 1959. He was always a diligent worker and took on summer jobs while in school. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era. Shortly after Harold returned home from the Army, he soon began a long illustrious career as a printer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, retiring after more than 42 years of federal service. He soon became bored and found himself working again, this time at CIA Headquarter in Langley, VA, as a security guard. Harold was a peaceful and gentle man, known for his integrity, with characteristics such as disciplined, trustworthy, steadfast, helpful and generous. A man of faith, he joined Metropolitan Baptist Church at its Washington, D.C. location under Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr., and continued his Christian growth there under Rev. Maurice Watson after the Church moved to Largo, MD. Harold loved his family dearly and especially doted over his mother, who passed away in 2006. He loved all sports, from the Washington Commanders and all of the other Washington sports teams, to bowling. He was also enthusiastic about cars, and you could often find him visiting auto shows or the places where people gathered to show off their sports or antique cars. He kept his own car spotless, so much so that you might see him washing it almost every day. He also enjoyed going to the movies and was an R&B aficionado. He used to love to sing and dance – especially to the oldies – and his favorite artists were James Brown, Peabo Bryson, Toni Braxton, and Michael Jackson, just to name a few. His all-time favorite song was “Hey Ya!” by OutKast. Even in his hospital bed, that song would almost always get him moving! He trusted his heart to Jeanette McIntosh, and they were married on May 20, 2000. Her daughter Sharon McIntosh Durham (living in Florida) instantly became his stepdaughter and her son William McIntosh, his step-grandson. Harold leaves to mourn two sisters, Linda Smith and Joyce Hardy; Joseph DeLoatch, Aaron Smith and Maya Smith, nephews and niece who considered Harold more of a father figure; Keith Martin, nephew; Carol Brown, Rhonda Robinson, Denise DeLoatch, nieces; Alexia Booze and Jaquita DeLoatch, great nieces; Breon Reynoso and Aaron Thomas, great nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Sylvester Harold Saunders

June 2, 1941 - June 25, 2025