Marlan Wayne Sykes, Sr., age 76 of Chesapeake, VA died on August 27, 2014 at the Chesapeake General Hospital of Chesapeake, VA. Mr. Sykes was a native of Halifax County born to the late Lilla Sledge Sykes and Faris Collins Sykes, Sr. Following high school graduation Mr. Sykes joined the U.S. Army and retired at the rank of Major.
Other than his mother and father he was preceded in death by his wife, Shelby Rutherford Sykes, two sisters, Anita Martin and Irma Babson, four brothers; J.W., Mason, Norwood and Faris Sykes Jr.
Marlan is survived by a daughter, Holly Sykes Gentry and her husband David of Chesapeake, VA, two sons, Jay Sykes and his wife Terri of Newport News, VA and Marlan Sykes Jr. of Chesapeake, VA; four grandsons, Jason Sykes and his wife Miranda of Virginia Beach, VA, Jack Sykes of Virginia Beach, VA, Davey Gentry of Rodanthe, NC, Valton Gentry of Chesapeake, VA,; granddaughter, Shelby Gentry of Chesapeake, VA; two great-grandsons, Kai Gentry and Jason Sykes II.
Graveside memorial services will be conduced at 2 PM on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at the Elmwood Cemetery in Enfield, NC.
The family will receive friends following the memorial service.