Betty Sykes passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 26, 2023   surrounded by those who loved her and will miss her dearly. Betty, a native of Sampson County, North Carolina, and was born on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1941. She was the daughter of the late James and Florence Hudson.

After high school, Betty attended college at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she received her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She was a first grade schoolteacher for over 30 years and will be remembered by all the lives she touched along the way during her career. Betty had a passion and love for reading and writing poetry, and she also loved spending her time bird watching.

Betty is survived by her husband and high school sweetheart of over 60 years, William Leroy Sykes; one son, Roy Sykes and his wife, Donna; two daughters, Lamone Patronis and her husband George, and Sheree Mabe, and her husband, Jeff; seven grandchildren, William, Clista, and Morgan Sykes, Caleb, Garrett, and Sean Mabe, Nina Patronis; three great-grandchildren, Annabelle Phillips, Penelope Sykes, and Miller Mabe.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Betty Sykes will be held on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. in the Ivanhoe Baptist Church, with the Rev. Melvin Hall officiating. Interment will be in the Ivanhoe Baptist Church Cemetery immediately following the service. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers the family of Mrs. Sykes has requested that memorials be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation, 1414  Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Burgaw.