Silas West Jr.
October 21, 1944 ~ June 7, 2022
Marietta Southern Cremations & Funerals
Silas West Jr. was a proud husband, loving father, funny grandpa, caring brother, respectful son and so much more. He fought the good fight during a long illness and passed away, at home, on June 7, 2022.
Silas, also affectionately known as Si-Peter, never met a stranger. His lopsided smile and ability to literally talk about anything, had a way of bringing you into his world.
Survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Dovella Anderson-West, his daughter Tamarra West-Engle, and his son Silas West III. His surviving grandchildren: Shakeela West, Tierra West, Keana West and Malachi Engle.
Silas was one of twelve children, born October 21, 1944, in South Bend, Indiana to Silas L. West and Annie Mae West-Vinson both preceding him in death. His surviving siblings: Lestene Pettus of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dan West of Chicago, Illinois, Maxine Heiermann of Kennesaw, Georgia, Terry Joe West Sr. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Linda Green of Denver, Colorado, Ken West Sr. (Andrea) of Chula Vista, California and Patricia West of New Port Richey, Florida. Preceding him in death were siblings Earlene West-Kilgore, Herman West, Nolan Lee West, and Clinton Ray West.
Silas has numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and several great-great nieces and nephews throughout the United States. Wherever Silas lived, family and friends knew they had a place to stay regardless of their circumstances or how long.
Silas graduated from Riley High School in South Bend, Indiana in 1964. His drive, ethics and desire to do his best at whatever task in front of him became his way of life.
Silas pursued many roads and challenges in his different careers, all leading towards the same goal; helping others while enjoying the ride! His first full time job was with Cummings Engineering. While there he played a significant role in starting a labor union to ensure fair employment and equal opportunities. This was a steppingstone that opened the door to his employment with the Urban League of South Bend. Here he started with the youth advocacy program. This program was conceived to help minor grades 8-12 with guidance in preparing them for future employment. In 1976 Silas accepted a position with The Road Builders Project. This project was designed to help minorities secure employment in highway construction in the state of Indiana. He became a member of Local Union 645. Silas retired in 1996. Silas along with his business partners also owned a neighborhood grocery store for several years in South Bend; this allowed them another opportunity to assist many in that community.
Silas and Dovella moved to Austell, Georgia in 2001 to be closer to their daughter. Although retired, Silas never stopped working; providing assistance to friends, neighbors and of course his family. Silas didn't judge, was always fair and definitely the life of any party. He will be sorely missed and always thought of fondly. He loved life and people and lived his life to the fullest.
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Hello everyone! Please bare with me as I pay homage to the man I affectionately know as my Uncle Si. Many moons ago, my younger brother and I would travel from Denver, CO to South Bend, IN to spend our summer breaks. We were sent to spend time with our dad, but there was not one summer where the majority of our summer break wasn’t spent at the home of Uncle Si and Aunt Dovella – on Thomas St. I’ll never forget these summers as they played a pivotal role in my childhood and it’s where I learned the value of family at a very young age. Not only were Uncle Si and Aunt Dovella welcoming, they showed us nothing but love, guidance, attention and allowed us to stay as long as our little hearts desired. I would have to say then, and even now, I feel more like a second daughter, than a niece. I remember traveling plenty of times to get butter pecan ice cream in his red pick up truck, playing outside for hours and hours, riding bikes, walking to the library, catching fire flies and him sometimes sitting on the porch just taking it all in. The pig roast is something I’ll never forget. I remember the pride he took in getting the pit prepared. Never seen anything like that before in my child life. There were many times Uncle Si would take us ‘home’ to my dad, and there were plenty of times we would call, and either him or Aunt Dovella would pick us right back up. There were many occasions where my dad would have to come to Thomas St and ‘visit us’ because we didn’t want to leave and knew we didn’t have to. Which became the routine for many summer breaks. For me it got so good, I wrote a letter – and mailed it – to Uncle Si and Dovella when I was about 11 years old, and asked if I could move in. I still remember receiving the phone call from Aunt Dovella, which started off ‘I got your letter and I talked it over with Uncle Si and he said it’s ok for you to come.’ As I became older and ventured off to Georgia in the early 2000’s with my two daughters, and I stayed at Tam’s home where Uncle Si and Aunt Dovella resided, until I was able to get on my feet and get my own place. Which is where the love continued. It actually never skipped a beat. He took to my girls like they were his, whether it was making them laugh, feeding them food from his plate food, or sneaking them many of honey buns. He was always someone I could call on in a time of need and was the first person I called when I ran out of gas on the side of the road. He was a protector, a provider, and just an all around great uncle. To me, and as I became older, to my girls. Uncle Si will be greatly missed and absolutely never, ever forgotten. I will cherish the many memories I have of my fun-loving uncle and will be forever thankful, and grateful for the time I was allowed to share with him. I forever love you, my Uncle Si.
Sending my condolences to the West family. My Uncle Si played a major part in my life. I will never forget the times when things got tough, he was always there. I thank God for the journey. Even as we mourn we can remember the good times, be comforted by the love and celebrate a life well-lived. With deepest Sympathy sending my love Niece Deborah J Williams
Silas was like big brother to me,I loved him, his love for you was incredible he was good friend to me ,he could walk into room and all eyes on Silas and he would smile Iwill miss you Silas but please believe never forget you Love Tina💖
Linda A. West-Green I was blessed to have seven brothers and four sisters Si was number six .Some time I would wonder why he was named Silas West Jr. when I had two other brothers older than him. To me it was because he was charismatic, similar to our father. Si was kind, generous, loyal and always willing to help anyone who needed a helping hand. When I started school at fives years of age, Si would carry me on his back through the snow and cold weather. Some time we would stop at the store for candy or just to get warm for a minute. Every body knew Si. There are so many precious memories to elaborate on. He gave me a party when I graduated from high school He and Dovella had every thing set up in the basement with red lights and good music. When they moved to Austell, Georgia, and my daughter had two young girls, they would play endlessly in the basement and every time would run to Si and he would give them his food, they would open up their mouth, then run back to play. I watched as they moved their home to a historic district in South Bend. Si and Dovella would do anything for their family and friends. I will miss him every so much. He was my buddy and big brother. Thanks for all the memories and I was blessed to have him as my brother. Much love.
I always deeply, deeply respected Silas. Thanks, Silas, being decent to me when I DID NOT deserve it. I learned about being a man from you. Rest peacefully! My thoughts and love to the family! E. Johnson
Dovella and Si West will always be my favorite couple. I first met them in 1976 when my then-boyfriend, Mike, and I moved to South Bend, where he attended graduate school at Notre Dame. From a former college professor, Bill Turner, we were given their names to contact as we were new to the area. They were more than friends, but were our extended family. We ended up marrying, had two daughters there, and then relocated back to the East. Since that time, we have been happily divorced since 1996, where he lives in Ghana and today we both remarried others. I feel that today, my second husband and I finally have the love, friendship, and respect that I witnessed during my youth from you both–a wonderful, fun couple who had the best parties! What role models you both were to us as youngsters; Si was friendly and extroverted, and Dovella, quiet and sweet. Si is now in heaven with his family and friends, but I know his spirit and love live on in his wife, children, friends, and relatives. Thank you both for letting us into your friends’ circle from 1976 to 1979, at ages 20 and 21. I never forgot my South Bend connection and always will love and miss all you guys. Hello to your siblings and my buddies–, Clara and John! We are now in Florida, and maybe we will meet again! dr. kv mack-shelton (formerly kibibi (mack) williams who lived on Diamond Street! 😘 ♥️