Mrs. Hazel Marie Sykes

SYKES, Mrs. Hazel Marie - Age 87, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10:30 AM Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church 1226 Beach St, with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Pastor James C. Fair, officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd., Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10:30 AM Wednesday. Mrs. Sykes will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. and may be viewed from 12:00 PM-6:00 PM Tuesday. July 3, 1936 was a joyous day in Rison, Arkansas. It was the day that Hazel Marie Benton was born, to the late Archie Benton and Clora Miller. Hazel was a very inquisitive young lady, excelling in academics which lead to her graduating at the top of her class from Lanwood High School in Rison Arkansas. After graduation, Hazel relocated to Flint, MI where she resided with her Aunt Hazel and Uncle Johnnie Milner until she married. Hazel married Benjamin Sykes on December 24, 1958, and to this union three wonderful children were born, Trina, Tonya and Ben Jr. This year they would have celebrated 65 years of blissful marriage. Mrs. Hazel Marie Sykes (affectionately known as Miss Hazel) accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized at an early age. She was a dedicated and active member of First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church for more than 40 years, under the pastoral leadership of Pastor Ezra L. Tillman Jr. and the late Pastors Frank O. Hockenhull, Grady L. Bennett and Alfred F. Thomas. She was a faithful servant, having served on the Usher Board for many years. Mrs. Hazel retired from Pro-Clean Dry Cleaners in 1997. She was a talented seamstress and loved quilting. She cherished moments spent with her loved ones, had a passion for gaming, enjoyed traveling and exploring new places. She was always on the move. Mrs. Hazel was soft spoken but full of wisdom and love. She loved the Lord and His people. With her life, she taught those around her to love God and to always live life to the fullest. She was thoughtful and loved shopping, often purchasing gifts for her loved ones, a coat, a nice dress or suit, gloves, food, whatever she thought you may need. She possessed a great deal of strength and resilience while battling chronic health complications. She persevered. Mrs. Hazel made a peaceful transition to her eternal home surrounded by family and friends on July 8, 2023. Mrs. Hazel Marie Sykes leaves to cherish her legacy: husband, Benjamin Sykes, Sr.; children, Trina and Ben Jr. and Tonya Sykes-Boyd of Austin, Texas; 3 dear grandchildren, Demarius Lane and Deirdras Jones of Austin, Texas and Divania Sykes of Houston, Texas; 4 bonus grandchildren, Lamar Boyd Jr., Latisha Boyd of Tampa, FL, Damar (S. Nicole) Boyd of Grand Rapids, MI and Jalisa (Brandon) Bush of Birmingham, AL.; 10 bonus great-grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces including dear niece, Gwen Henry, cousins, special friends, June Shaw, Reggie Smiley, Anthony Allen, the men of Gamblers Inc. and her Adams Street family. Mrs. Hazel has too many family and friends to write all their names, if by chance you don’t see yours, be comforted in knowing your name is written in the book of Miss Hazel’s heart. MRs. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, Archie Benton and Clora Miller; siblings, Jimmy and Alberta Barnett, Betty Bell and Ernest O’Neal; several aunts and uncles including dear aunts, Bertha Dunlap, Hazel Milner, Dora Barnett and Rosetta Wasp, and Uncle Oscar Barnett, Sr.

Mrs. Hazel Marie Sykes

July 3, 1936 - July 8, 2023