GAYNELL POWERS SYKES

Gaynell Powers Sykes was the only daughter of Audrey Colley Powers and Barnum Powers, enjoying the adoration of her brothers Barney Jr., Darrell “Shifty,” Jimmy, and Frank, all of whom predeceased her.

Although born in Clintwood, in Dickenson County on July 16, 1929, she grew up in the town of Clinchco during the coal boom and had happy memories of the friendships and good times there.

She moved to Richmond to work for the Virginia Highway Department right after high school, but her brothers missed her, so she went home. After working as a receptionist for “Doc” Brown, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse at a time when teachers were hard to find.

After studying at National Business College in Roanoke, she returned to Dickenson County and found a job working for the Superintendent of Schools, Jimmy Skeen. Mr. Skeen pointed out this lovely young lady to a new VPI graduate and English teacher, Clair Sykes, who was immediately smitten. They were married on September 16, 1950, and soon took off for Ft. Benning, Ga., where the United States Army required his presence.

Upon moving back to Virginia, Mrs. Sykes worked at several office jobs in the area as well as in Roanoke, where the Sykes family moved in 1963 when Mr. Sykes began with New York Life. The family, though, was her priority. She loved children in general, working with children and youth at Connelly Memorial Baptist Church and Virginia Heights Baptist Church. One of her favorite volunteer positions was Baptist Friendship House, and she worked tirelessly for the Greenvale School and the Giving Back Society.

After almost 65 years of marriage and “til death do us part,” her husband passed in 2015. Left to cherish her memory is a large and loving family, including Cheryl Gilliland (Charles), Lisa Lovegrove (Rick), Anita Lisk (Tom), and Frank Sykes. Her grandchildren include Meredith Eckel (Gregg), Lauren Lonnes (Lee), Blake Holcomb, Amy Gilliland (Gustavo Valderrama), Chuck Gilliland (Molly), Bobby Gilliland (Krystal), Grace Lovegrove (deceased), Spencer Lovegrove (Sierra), Sarah Craig (Zak), and Matthew Lisk. She also adored her 14 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Sykes had several nieces and nephews as well as brother-in-law, Alton Sykes and sisters-in-law, Rita Bailey and Ann Branham.

She passed peacefully in her sleep on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023. Friends may call at Oakey’s South Chapel on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 1 p.m. to visit with family and stay for a service to begin at 2 p.m. A private family interment will be held at Evergreen Burial Park’s Chapel of Light afterwards.

If you wish to honor Mrs. Sykes with a memorial, please consider Baptist Friendship House, 635 Elm Ave., Roanoke, Va., 24016 or the children’s charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.Oakeys.com.

Arrangements by Oakey’s Funeral Service – South Chapel, Roanoke, (540) 989-3131.