Sylvia “Snooks” Bynoe of Southampton died on May 7, in her childhood home, surrounded by family and friends. She was 76.
Born on July 16, 1939, at Southampton Hospital, Sylvia Frances Smith, known as “Snooks,” “Mrs. Sylvia,” or “Grandma Snook,” attended Southampton High School. It was there and at her local church, Community Baptist, that she first fostered her love of singing. She’d sing locally at Fives on North Sea Road and the Hotel James in Water Mill.
After graduating in 1957, she moved to Brooklyn, where she sang at numerous cabaret venues, performing with the Isley brothers, Bo Didley, and other prominent singers of her time. After the birth of her son, Anthony-Michael, in 1959, and daughter, Denise, in 1960, she shifted her career trajectory, but singing always remained a strong part of her life. She earned an associate’s degree in nursing from York College, and spent more than 20 years working in the law offices of Leon Ploss.
On August 11, 1971, she married George Bynoe at Liberty Baptist Church and they settled into a house on Sullivan Place, where she was the uncontested mayor of the block. For more than 40 years, they called that stoop home, and all new neighbors who came by were friends. Survivors said that she was as quick to deliver a compliment as she was a tongue lashing.
In her Brooklyn neighborhood, Mrs. Bynoe ensured every child received a present—whether it was a coloring book for Christmas, or chocolate for Valentine’s Day—no child was forgotten.
Singing always remained an important part of her life. She sang for countless years at Liberty Baptist Church in Brooklyn where she was a very active congregant. When the church moved too far to access, she became a member of The Chosen Generation Ministry where she was a frequent soloist. She was an avid karaoke singer.
Mrs. Bynoe was a member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation and would spend her summers traveling with her daughter to various powwows in the tri-state and New England area. Labor Day weekend wasn’t complete without seeing her chopping vegetables at her daughter’s stand. One of her favorite moments was when she sang at the Narragansett Indian Church while the late Princess Chee Chee accompanied her on piano.
She was predeceased by her husband, George Bynoe; her mother, Clara Lee Crawley; and father, Richard Smith. She is survived by her stepfather, Collier Crawley; an uncle, Porter Smith of Virginia; aunt, Anna Brigham of Southampton; brothers William Hite of Arizona, and Craig and wife Maria of California; a sister, Alberta Johnson and husband Julian of Buffalo; her children, Anthony Michael Smith and wife Annette, and Denise Smith and husband Lewis; grandchildren Andrina, Trumaine, Caprice, and Alyssa; great-grandchild, Lilly Victoria Smith; and goddaughter, Erica Maddux. She is also survived by her friend of 65 years, Pati Johnson; Miss Liz; “adopted sons, Junior and Kenny; and many relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
on May 16, 2016