Obituary of Barbara Sykes

BARBARA POWELL SYKES Barbara Powell Sykes, 77 years, 11 months and 1 day, of 4401 Montgomery Road, Lynchburg, died October 11, 2011 at her home with her husband by her side. For fifty-six years she was the wife of Lowell Beach Sykes, a long-time pastor of Rivermont Presbyterian Church. He survives her. Born November 10, 1933 in Salina, Kansas, where she grew up, Mrs. Sykes was a daughter of the late Charles Marshall Powell and Goldie May Anderson Powell. After attending Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, Mrs. Sykes graduated from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA. In 1959 with a degree in elementary education. During the course of her husband?s ministry, Mrs. Sykes lived in Comer, Dahlonega and Augusta, GA. and in Lynchburg, Va. A committed Christian, she was a faithful member of each of the churches her husband served. She had been a part of Rivermont Presbyterian Church since 1974. She was an outstanding wife, loving mother and supportive friend. Mrs. Sykes had a special understanding of and ability to teach children. She used this gift with her own sons and daughter and in both Sunday school and public school. Her last public teaching post lasted seventeen years at Amelon Elementary School in Madison Heights, VA. where she taught second grade. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Sykes is survived by her sons, Lowell Beach Sykes, Jr. and his wife, Gina of Richmond, Charles Powell Sykes and his wife, Kathleen of Burlington, NC, and her daughter, Mary Elizabeth Sykes Marcum and her husband, Alan of Cookeville, TN. Grandchildren: Chad Sykes, Jodie Griffin and her husband, Chip, Christie Miller and her husband, Jim, Lauren Sykes, Addie Ruth Marcum, Maggie Marcum and Lowell Marcum. Great-granddaughters, Rachel Miller and Emily Griffin, her sister, Charlotte Powell Shaffer of Bunker Hill, Kansas and a devoted friend, Pam Ruble of Forest, VA. The family wishes to express deep appreciation to Drs. Scott Wade, Greg Alty, David Wilson, Robert Sorenson and (the late) C. Raine Sydnor who have given extraordinary medical and dental attention to Mrs. Sykes during the many years of her extreme disability with Alzheimer?s Disease, and also to Mrs. Wanda Murphy, Ms. Lorene Payne and Ms. Barbara Richerson who have helped lovingly and skillfully with Mrs. Sykes? care in her own home. The family will receive visitors from 7 to 8:30 PM Friday, October 14, 2011 at Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church. A Memorial Service will be held 3:00 PM Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church with Pastors Clay Smith and Ron Cox officiating. Interment will be at Fort Hill Memorial Park. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2424 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg, Va. 24503.