Obituary of Martha Crabtree Sykes

Martha Jane Sykes heard her Savior call her home on May 22, 2018. She was welcomed into Heaven’s door by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There to meet her were those who had gone on before her. Parents, Will and Ethel Crabtree, her husband, Clifford Sykes Sr., her sisters, Genovia Cates and Maggie Hackler, her brother, Henry Crabtree, her great-grandson, Donald Gray Pennington, her in-laws and numerous friends. She leaves behind to treasure her memories, her son Clifford Sykes Jr. “Punkin” of the home, her daughter, Mary Jane Glasgow “Janie” (Marvis), her brother Jesse Crabtree (Alice), six grandchildren, Edna Scarlett (Robert), Eddie Glasgow (Erica), Tammy Pennington (Brian), Tonya Spruill (Dave), Marshal Glasgow (Katie), Marty Glasgow, 14 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Martha worked at Kale Hosiery Mill, was a homemaker and worked at Hillhaven Convalescent Center in Durham as a Physical Therapy Aide and then receptionist. She retired after more than 30 years of service. She attended Efland United Methodist Church and was the church’s oldest member. She enjoyed reading the bulletin weekly when she became unable to attend worship. She was a hard worker, loved her family and enjoyed being able to sit on her front porch waving to all those going by. She loved wearing her pearls and always had a smile for everyone!

Pallbearers: Johnny Cates, Ronnie Crabtree, Timmy Crabtree, Tony Crabtree, David Kimrey, Brian Pennington Sr., Dave Spruill, and Robert Scarlett.

Funeral services were held Saturday, May 26, 2018 at Efland United Methodist Church and officiated by Rev. Lori Higgins and Rev. Cindy Lister. 

Written by Martha Jane Sykes

“A Hug”

A hug is a perfect gift

one size fits all

and no one minds if you exchange it.

It’s wondrous what a hug can do.

A hug can cheer you when you’re blue.

A hug can say, “I love you so,”

or Gee, “I hate to see you go.”

A hug is, “Welcome back again,”

or great to say, “Where have you been?”

A hug delights, warms and charms

it must be why God gave us arms.