Sylvia Jean Presnell Canter

Sylvia Jean (Presnell) Canter, 84, of Boone, North Carolina, went home to Heaven on March 18, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Jean was born in Bristol, Virginia to Ruby and Spencer Presnell and raised in a Christian home where her love for gospel music began. She went on to become a respected gospel singer and songwriter, touching many lives through her songs. She believed that if she could bless even one person with her song, it was the greatest accolade she could receive – a reflection of her humble spirit and deep faith. She was a lifelong member of West View Baptist Church where she loved singing in the choir.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ruby and Spencer Presnell, brothers Albert Presnell and Chris Presnell, and her dear son Mark Steven Canter.

Jean is survived by one sister, Rita Jones (Gary) her brother Danny Presnell both of Boone and her loving children Kimberly Hall of Boone and Lori Brainard (David) of Phoenix, Arizona. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Jessica Salyers (Josh) of Elk Grove, California, Joshua Munday of San Francisco, California, Leah of Tucson, Arizona, and Caleb Brainard (Michelle) of Phoenix, Arizona as well as her great grandchildren whom she called her babies, Jackson and Ellie Salyers of Elk Grove, California, several nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026 at West View Baptist Church in Boone, NC from 2:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 3:00 p.m..  Burial will follow in the West View Baptist Church Cemetery. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital online, by mail or by phone: https://www.stjude.org/donate, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, 800-805-5856

Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Canter family.

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