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Rev. Addison Sylvester Varner was the son of Rev. M.H. and Annie Penola Sparks Varner. He was born on June 29, 1930 in Palmetto, Georgia. He entered eternal rest peacefully at home surrounded by family. His favorite pastimes were fishing, reading the Bible, gardening, raising livestock, listening to gospel music, and keeping abreast of the news. Ves, short for Sylvester, never met a stranger. He loved meeting people and enjoyed talking about a variety of topics. There were many people whom he called “my friend.” As a child, Addison’s love for learning was stimulated by his father’s influence within the Methodist church and his loving stepmother, Willie Emma Varner. Due to a health condition, he attended a church sponsored private school during the week and returned home on weekends. He was very serious and started working at the age of 13. When the family moved to Atlanta, he worked as an elevator operator at Emory Hospital, and trained wild horses at the Atlanta stockyard. As a trainer, he obtained the nickname “Banner” because he could jump high and mount wild horses. His family in Atlanta continued to refer to him as Banner throughout his/their lives. At Booker T. Washington High School, he attended class with older students. He became friends with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, as they were both preachers’ kids, held jobs and had similar interests. Addison graduated early and was called into military service at the age of seventeen. He served almost 22 years and was wounded during the Korean War.For most of his career in the United States Army, Sergeant Varner was assigned to the Military District of Washington. He became an expert in marksmanship, security and information gathering. He worked for the Department of State, traveled extensively, and provided security to three ambassadors during his tenure. When he could, Addison attended the Ft. Belvoir Chapel regularly and sang in the choir. It was there, that he met his wife, pianist and songbird, Janice L. Mundy. After marriage, they joined Russell Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal church in Alexandria VA. He was elected President of the Steward Board and she founded the Russell Temple Male Chorus of which Addison was a founding member. In 1961, SSG Varner was detailed to the Criminal Investigations Division and sent to Germany during the Cold War. Upon the family’s return to Washington D.C, he was stationed at Ft. Myer, in Arlington, VA where he was responsible for integrating and training in the meat department of the Commissary. The family settled in Fairfax and resumed their attendance at Russell Temple. After his retirement in 1968, Addison continued to advocate for social justice, obtaining a realtor’s license, integrating neighborhoods, and becoming the first black deputy sheriff in the City of Fairfax. Following his tenure at the Sheriff’s Department, he worked for the D.C Dept. of Corrections at Lorton’s Youth Detention facility. There, he answered the call into the ministry to help young men who lacked father figures. Throughout his career, Addison pursued higher education and completed his Bachelor’s degree in Religion from the University of Virginia. In addition, he achieved the 33rd degree in the universal Order of Masons and was a member of the Order of Elks in Vienna, VA. Addison Varner had the unique ability to communicate with people of any age, social or economic status, education, race, or culture. Rev. Addison S. Varner received his ordination in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church under Bishop Nathaniel Lindsey, Presiding Prelate over the New York -Washington District. He was sent to Petersburg, VA where he pastored St. John CME Church. He was then sent to pastor at St. James CME church in Lawrenceville and Miles Bethel CME church in LaCrosse, VA where he remained for many years. Rev. Varner maintained his residence in Petersburg where he united with local ministers and veterans in social justice initiatives to help citizens. He also served as a Chaplain at Southside Regional Medical Center and was a self-employed contractor with the Farmer’s Home Administration. After his retirement from the CME Church Conference, Rev. and Mrs. Varner donated two acres of land to establish the St. John Christian Community Church in Dinwiddie, VA where they remained active for the rest of their lives. He was preceded into eternity by his beloved wife of 70 years, Mrs. Janice M. Varner, his mother, father, step-mother, and six siblings; Theodore, Hulet, Jeremiah, Reese. Evelyn and Ruby, infant twin daughters; Janice and Barbara, his eldest son, Addison S. Varner Jr. daughter-in-law, Gwendolyn F. Varner, mother in-law, and father-in-law; Edna and Floyd Mundy, and a host of sisters and brothers-in-law. Left behind to finish their own race are six remaining children: Rev. Adrian Varner (Beverly), Floyd Varner, Lawrence Varner (Deloris), Rev. Andria Frett (Vernon), Dr. Evelyn Whitehead (Brodie Jr.) and Emma Johnson (Charles); daughter-in-law, Gwendolyn C. Varner, seventeen grandchildren, thirty-one great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren, two godsons; brothers-in-law, Daniel Mundy, Robert Edmonds, and Lambert Mercer; sisters-in-law, Rev. Dr. Geraldine Booth (Matthew) and Cora “Geraldine” Varner; and a host of nieces and nephews. Two of his favorite phrases were, “What you value most, you shall have” and “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Two memorable sermons were, “Cast Your Net on the Right Side” and “You Have to be Totally Involved.”Services will be held 1:00 P.M., Friday, September 26, 2025, at St. John Christian Community Church, 23900 Dabney Mill Road, North Dinwiddie, VA, Rev. Dr. Geraldine Booth, eulogist. The interment to follow at The Varner Family Cemetery.J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Rev. Addison S. Varner, Sr.

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