W.T. Shumake & Daughters

Sylvester Sykes, 89, of Louisville died December 7, 2021. Visitation 11am- 12 Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Service W.T. Shumake & Daughters Funeral Home 3815 Newburg Road Louisville, Kentucky 40218 Funeral to follow at 12:00pm. Burial Historic Petersburg-Newburg Cemetery.

Sylvester Edward Sykes, Sr. was born on July 5, 1932 in Osceola, Arkansas. He was Mildred Harvey’s only child. At an early age he began his Christian journey and gave his life to Christ. In his later years, he united with Star Hope Baptist Church.

Sylvester’s family relocated to Blytheville, Arkansas, where he received his education. He also met and married his bride of 68 years, Ollie Mae Holt, and together they raised 11 children. With his family in tow, they moved to Louisville, Kentucky for a better life. Sylvester became gamefully employed by Bob Hook Chevrolet Car Dealership as one of their skilled mechanics, until his retirement.

Tending to the needs of a large family left very little spare time, but after his retirement, he enjoyed being around family and friends, watching old westerns, WWE wrestling, and was a great story teller, infusing truth and fiction entertaining his buddies. In his hay day, he was very fashionable and well dressed.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Harvey; siblings; children, Linda Johnson, Brenda Tobias, Doris Williams, Henry Sykes, Donna Clark and Freeman Brown. On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, Sylvester Edward Sykes, Sr. departed this life. He leaves to cherish his memories his children, Wayne Sykes (Tina), James Sykes, Joyce Hicks (Jesse), Anthony Sykes (Robin), Darlene Brown (Clarence), Sylvester Sykes, Jr. (Christa), Mark Sykes, Shell Sykes, Kent Brown (Lavette), Tamara Rickman (Raymond), and Robin Brown; and a host of family and friends