Polly Ann Sykes

Mrs. Polly Ann Willis Sykes, 87, of Yanceyville, NC (formerly of Graham and Burlington) passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2023.  A native of Leasburg, NC, she was the eldest daughter of the late James David Willis and Eva Webster Willis Richmond. Polly was a 1952 graduate of Bartlett Yancey High School, where she was a student athlete. She retired from Western Electric/AT&T after 37 years of service. She also spent part of her working years at Western Steakhouse. Polly was an avid softball player and a member of Kinnett Memorial Baptist Church. Polly enjoyed the gift of fellowship and working hard her entire life.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, William F “Pete” Sykes, and Gerald R Dickerson; her children, William J. “Jody” Sykes, and infant daughter, Sylvia Ann Sykes; her sisters, Sherby Mahaley and Joyce Mahaley; and her brothers, Jimmy Willis and Nat Willis.  Survivors include her siblings Jeanette Walters, Elaine Merritt (Lawrence), Angie Oakley (Duck); a host of nieces and nephews; her grandson, Joshua D. Sykes; her amazing great-grandson, Issac J. Osgood (The light of her life) and his wonderful mother Sarah; and many special friends. A funeral service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at the McClure Funeral Home Chapel in Graham with the pastor Don Pegg officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery in Burlington, NC, alongside her husband William F. “Pete” Sykes and her daughter Sylvia. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at 10am at McClure Funeral Home in Graham, NC. The family would like to give a special thanks to Susan & Terry Autry, Tonya Ribelin, Pat Clark, and the Hospice Home of Alamance-Caswell. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Polly Ann Sykes, please visit our floral store.