Zanes Earl Cypress, Sr., beloved son of Laura O. Berry and Zanes S. Cypress, was born on October 29, 1926, in Surry County, Virginia. At an early age, he and his mother moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania finally settling in Harlem, New York. Affectionately known as ''Earl'', he was educated in the New York City Public School System and graduated from the School of Industrial Arts in 1945, majoring in Advertising. Upon graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army, served primarily in Japan, received an honorable Discharge and relocated with his mother in Baltimore, Maryland. When Earl arived in Baltimore, he decided to study music. His loveof the guitar led him to attend the Larry London School os Music. He became a very proficient jazz guitarist and was invited to play in many local bands. Some celebrities he performed with were Chubby Checker and Ethel Ennis. During this time, he became friends with the legendary jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. Continuing his musical education under the tutelage of Bill Harris of Washington D.C., he studies classical guitar. He truly loved God's gift of music and gladly shared his gift through teaching the guitar to many students throughout the Greater Baltimore Metropolitan Area. In 1948, he met Earleen Julia Marcus, who was a student at Morgan State College. The courtship lasted four years and on august 9, 1952 they were joined in Holy Matrimony. God blessd this union to survive fifty-three years . Earl and Earleen were blessed with two children, Zanile and Zanes, Jr. Employed for over 30 years, by the United States Department of Defense, at the Fort Holabird Facility, he retired in 1981. In 1953, he became a member of Little Ark Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of his father-in-law, Rev. Dr. Matthews Marcus, Sr. he served for over thirty-five years as a trustee and church treasurer. Earl cherished serving on the trustee Board with dear friend, the late Ray Henderson. They both served the financial department of the church with honor and dignity and remained well into the administration of the current Pastor, Rev. Dr. J. L. Carter, until their retirement. Earl was a true gentleman who loved God, family and Ark Churh. He especially enjoyed family gatherings with his brother-in-law, Matthews Marcus, Jr. and his nephew and niece, Matthew L. Marcus and Dr. Florence Marcus-Ramsay. He was an extremely proud grandfather of his two grandsons, Zanes,III and Daniel. An avid NBA basketball fan, Earl could be found many evenings viewing games with his children and his extended family. He leaves with precious memories: a faithful and devoted wife, Earleen J. Cypress; daughter and son, Zanile E. Cypress-Curtis and Zanes E. Cypress, Jr. daughter-in-law, Donna A. Jones-Cypress; two grandsons, Zanes E.Cypress, III and Daniel A. Curtis; brother-in-law, Matthew Marcus, Jr; and a host of family and friends.