Sylyna Cousar

Sylyna (Jackson) Cousar, age 92, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away at home on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. The daughter of James A. and Louisa (Tates) Jackson, she was born in New London, Ohio and grew up in Lorain, Ohio. She moved to Columbus in the last half of her senior year in high school in 1949 and graduated from East High School. She married Paul R. Cousar and to that union, they had three children.

Sylyna was employed by the State of Ohio at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, where she held several positions and was supervisor of Case Records when she retired after 30 years of service. She was coaxed out of retirement by Reverend William Wheatley, who was pastor of Mt. Vernon Avenue AME Church at that time, where Sylyna was a member, to be one of the church secretaries, and was in this position for several years.

Sylyna enjoyed putting together 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, sudoku, knitting, crocheting, making jewelry, and traveling. She enjoyed going up and down I-71 to northern Ohio or west to Dayton for family events or just to get together with family, with her mother, daughter and two granddaughters in tow. She also enjoyed bus trips and day trips with her daughter where they would travel together at least once a year. Sylyna also enjoyed adult color-by-number coloring books.

Sylyna loved the Lord and knew the Lord loved her. She loved family and encouraged family to love one another and not to worry about what’s happened in the past.

Sylyna was preceded in death by her father, James A. Jackson; her mother, Louisa Tates Jackson; husband, Paul Cousar, Sr.; great-grandson, Jaylin Armstrong; great-granddaughter, Samaira France. She is survived by daughter, Sylyna (Pierre) France; sons, Paul Cousar, Jr. and Abdul-Hakim Muhammad; sister, Kimberly Hoskin; granddaughters, Tanya Palmer; Rhonda Palmer, and Kimberly France; grandson, Carlos (Chaneia) France; 13 great-grandchildren,1 great-great-grandson, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

A celebration of life service will be held Friday, October 27, 2023 at Mt. Vernon AME Church, 1127 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. and the service will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support during Sylyna’s illness, and OhioHealth Hospice for their assistance. Thank you to the Marlan Gary Funeral Directors for their delicate and calming manner in helping the family go through the planning process.

Sylyna Cousar, age 92. Sunrise September 14, 1931 and Sunset October 18, 2023.

Visitation 10:00 AM and Funeral Service 11:00 AM Friday, October 27, 2023 at Mt. Vernon AME Church, 1127 Mt. Vernon Ave.

Interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Please keep the family in your prayers as they write Mother Cousar’s obituary.