Earnest Sykes,

SYKES, Mr. Earnest Lee "Sonny", Sr. - Age 75, departed from this life, Saturday, April 24, 2010 at his residence. Family hour 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 1, 2010 at Ebenezer Ministries, 2130 S. Center Rd., with funeral service commencing at 12Noon, Rev. Harry Prince officiating, Senior Pastor Urundi Knox, Host Pastor. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Mr. Sykes will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 1-8 p.m. Friday. Mr. Earnest Lee "Sonny" Sykes, Sr. was born December 31, 1934 in Brookville, Mississippi, the son of Robert Lee Sykes, Sr. and Lula Mae Murdock. Earnest was affectionately known as “Sonny” by his family and friends. Mr. Sykes relocated to Flint, Michigan in 1958 with his first wife, Annie Laura (Taylor) Sykes and began working for General Motors at Buick City, retiring in 1978. He enjoyed traveling, socializing with his friends, working on his house, playing with his grandchildren and talking on his CB radio. Mr. Earnest Lee “Sonny” Sykes, Sr. leaves to cherish his memory: stepmother, Maylena Sykes; 3 sons, Dennis, Terrell and Huey Sykes; 6 daughters, Dorothy, Annetta, Tracy Sykes, Alma (Joseph) Edwards, Tequila Walker, Julia (Derrick) Backstrom, all of Flint; 18 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 7 sisters, Sadie Patterson of Macon, MS, Katherine, Rosie, Bettye and Geraldine Sykes, all of Chicago, IL, Mary Louise Sykes of Indianapolis, IN, Annie Ruth Sykes of Columbus, MS; 7 brothers, Robert Jr., Timmy, Johnny and Charles Sykes, all of Indianapolis, IN, Ned and O.J. Sykes of Gary, IN, Leo Mosley of Vera Beach, FL; favorite uncle and aunt, George (Martha) Sykes; cousin, Castella Jones; 2nd wife, Fannie Sykes; special friend, Catherine Roberts, all of Flint; 2 honorary daughters, Cheketa and Ebony. Mr. Sykes was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Annie Laura Sykes; son, Earnest Lee Sykes, Jr.; father, Robert Lee Sykes, Sr.; mother, Lula Mae Murdock; nephew, Barry Patterson; and cousins, Mack Quentin Sykes and L.C. Griffin.

Earnest Sykes,

December 25, 1934 - April 24, 2010