Marie Troutman Sykes, 87 of Pinebluff NC, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024 at FirstHealth Hospice House, after a short battle with cancer.
Born on May 6, 1937 in Pinebluff, NC to the late Howard H. Troutman, Sr. and Cecilia Fiddner Troutman. Marie grew up with an extensive family in the area (the Troutmans and Fiddners) and worked summers in her father’s tobacco fields. Marie enjoyed swimming at Pinebluff Lake and vacationing at Holden Beach, Sunset Beach and especially at her grandmother’s place at Windy Point. Marie attended Aberdeen High School, where she played on the Aberdeen Red Devils basketball team – which won the state championship that year. In 1953, she married the love of her life, the late Charles Richard Sykes, Sr. of Thomasville, NC and started her family. Her husband’s Army service took her on many travels to California, France, New Mexico, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina. After Army retirement in 1971, she and Charles settled in Pinebluff, NC with their eight children and began a career in construction together. They also continued traveling in fun and exciting ways – visiting many places in the United States, as well as many foreign countries. They always made time to visit their children and grandchildren, no matter where in the world they lived. In fact, Marie devoted her life to raising and enjoying her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, reading and working on various projects with her husband and children. She was adored by her family and friends and will be greatly missed. This world was a better place because of her life.
Marie is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother, Howard Henry Troutman, Jr, her brother-in-law Bill Amos and a baby son.
She is survived by her children Charles Richard Sykes, Jr (Lisanne), Kathleen White (Andy), Joree Sykes, Sandra Sykes, Isabel Maples (Michael), Okey Sykes (Cinthia Ann), Marshall Sykes (Cindy), Paula McKenzie (Steve), 23 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, her sister Ruth Amos, her sister-in-law Joan Troutman, and countless cousins.
A visitation will be held from 12:30 to 2pm on Sunday, December 22, 2024. A funeral service will follow the visitation at 2pm at the Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines with burial to follow in Pinebluff Cemetery.
Please no lilies due to family allergies. Memorial contributions in Marie’s name can be made to FirstHealth Hospice House and Palliative care at 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst NC, 28374.
Online condolences may be made to www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
