Mary Sykes

Mary Sykes was born on October 8, 1945, in Columbus, MS, to the union of Mr. Harvey Eugene Sykes and Mrs. Mattie Will (Barry) Sykes. She was raised on her family’s farm by her parents along with her eight younger siblings. At the age of seventeen, Mary confessed Jesus Christ as her savior and was baptized at Brick Baptist Church by Rev. John H. Cockrell. She also attended Mt. Ariery Baptist Church where her grandmother taught Sunday school. Mary began her education at Mt. Ariery Church, which was the only designated school for children in the neighborhood. She was later bussed to the newly built Motley Elementary School and on to Robert E. Hunt High School in Columbus. After her childhood job picking cotton, Mary’s first adult job was as a cook at her former Motley Elementary School. A few years later, with the help of her Uncle Watson and Aunt Louise, Mary moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mary then became a cook at Holy Ghost Lutheran School where her cousins attended. She loved to try new recipes and became the Queen of Cookbooks, collecting hundreds of cookbooks throughout the years. She also had an eye for beauty, Mary and Aunt Louise worked together to create pretty front and back yards with flowers which inspired neighbors to adorn their yards. Mary met a lifelong friend in the person of Mr. Elbert Daniels, Jr., who is recently deceased. She provided some motherly support to some of his children and was a grandmother figure to his grandchildren. She is affectionately called Grandma Mary to this date. Mary departed this earth in the early morning of Sunday, August 11, 2024, surrounded by her sister, Lillian, and her sister Dolores, who served as her nurse. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters (Doris Ruth and Earlene); brother (Jesse Lee); and nephew (Lance Antwan). Mary is survived by her siblings Lillian (Robert) of Indianapolis, Harvey Jr. (Doris) of Columbus, Dolores (Ex-Henry) of Nashville, Johnnie (Angel) of Columbus, and her dearest youngest sister Gwendolyn Ann Sykes. She is also survived by her Aunt Louise Sykes of Milwaukee along with a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and many other relatives, and friends.

Tributes

Mary Sykes

October 8, 1945 - August 11, 2024