ROCKINGHAM — Family and friends of Sylvester Lee “Sly” Wilburn on Friday held a candlelight vigil on the one-year anniversary of his death.

Wilburn was killed April 18, 2018, at 28 years old, in a violent shooting that also left a female victim and the suspect injured. The suspect is still awaiting trial. Since that time, the family has struggled to cope with the loss and used Friday’s vigil as an opportunity to vent, ask for prayers, and search for ways to stop “senseless” gun violence.

Those who stepped forward to speak described “Sly” as loving father, son, brother, cousin, and friend.

“The day my brother passed was probably one of the worst days of my life. I had a lot of bad thoughts come into my head at that time — a lot of bad thoughts,” said DeMarcus Hough, Sly’s younger brother, as he described a moment where he had a gun in his hand. “I wanted revenge, that was the first thing that came in my mind: ‘Who did it? Where is he?’ But I prayed … the Spirit told me, ‘You know what to do.’

“I have amazing friends … my friends beat me to the hospital,” he continued. “I’m glad you’re all here and I want you to continue to be here because I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for y’all.”

Much of the audience at at Providence Missionary Baptist Church were wearing shirts bearing a picture of Wilburn with angel wings and the number “1” with “FLY HIGH SLY” written on it. They all joined in a rendition of “Better Days Are Coming”. Sheriff James Clemmons was the guest speaker.

The family will start a scholarship fund in “Sly’s” honor for single fathers between the age of 18 and 27 years old who want to go back to school. The family is seeking contributions and applications.

Contact Tanikka Hough at 910-206-4480 for more information.

“Sly’s” mother, Linda Hough, said young people have to learn to “put the guns down”.

“You don’t have to shoot nobody. My son was a peaceful guy, he was a peacemaker,” she said. “(Shooting) is not the answer. We argue about police killing African Americans but what about us killing each other?”

Over the last year, Linda Hough said she’s missed the love her son showed her.

“He told me everyday how much he loved me … If I needed something all I had to do was call him and it was ‘Momma, I’m on my way,’” she said. “I just miss that love. My life is not the same since my son (has been) gone and it never will be the same.”

She added that his 3-year-old daughter, Saborah, has also been deeply affected by the loss.

“He called me his queen and she was his princess,” Linda Hough said.

Gerald Wilburn, Sylvester’s father, said the vigil was a celebration of his son’s life and that he’s acutely aware that many other families are dealing with similar pain.

“Our family is not the only one that have gone through these senseless murders,” he said. “My hope is that the community can come together to make people aware of all these senseless murders, to stop some of the anger.

“It’s the hardest thing anyone could ever imagine to bury my son,” Wilburn continued. “He’s no longer here, what I’m about now is prevention. How are guns getting into the hands of these criminals?”

A former police officer, Wilburn expressed frustration that repeat offenders are able to get out of jail and find their way back into the same patterns that got them in jail in the first place.

“We’ve got to talk to our lawmakers to get a grip on these guns,” he said. “With the knowledge we have, if we enough people together we can come up with certain ideas — as long as there’s a starting point. You’ve got to start somewhere.”

Gavin Stone | Daily Journal The family of Sylvester “Sly” Wilburn will form a scholarship in his honor which will benefit single fathers between the ages of 17 and 27 who want to continue their education. Contact Tanikka Hough at 910-206-4480 for details.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_IMG_9536-1.jpgGavin Stone | Daily Journal The family of Sylvester “Sly” Wilburn will form a scholarship in his honor which will benefit single fathers between the ages of 17 and 27 who want to continue their education. Contact Tanikka Hough at 910-206-4480 for details.

Gavin Stone | Daily Journal DeMarcus Hough, Sylvester “Sly” Wilburn’s younger brother, speaks at Providence Missionary Baptist Church at a vigil on the one-year anniversary of his brother’s death while Janelle Gatewood, center, wipes away his tears.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_IMG_9558-1.jpgGavin Stone | Daily Journal DeMarcus Hough, Sylvester “Sly” Wilburn’s younger brother, speaks at Providence Missionary Baptist Church at a vigil on the one-year anniversary of his brother’s death while Janelle Gatewood, center, wipes away his tears.
Scholarship forms 1 year later

Gavin Stone

Editor

Reach Gavin Stone at 910-817-2674 or [email protected].