Obituary of Merle Sykes

Merle Sykes, known to many as "Mema" passed away Sunday August 5, 2018 at the age of 89.

Merle was born in Durham but the majority of her life was lived in Carrboro and Chapel Hill where she moved in the early 50's.  She lived over 60 of those years in a home on Weiner Street in Chapel Hill where she had an award winning ceramic shop, Merle's Mud-Hut.

Merle is survived by her daughter, Saundra Thomas, her grandchildren Rio Ravenswolf, Christoper Thomas and wife Kathy, Cheryl Barlow and husband Clif, Brandy Scott and Sam Sykes.  Also survived by sisters Ethel Bohin, Evelyn Jones and husband Clif; brothers Ed Petty and wife Elsie, Earl Petty; as well as great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  

She is preceded in death by her husband Vernon Sykes and son Neil Sykes, also by her mother Ella Lockamy Petty and father Clyde Petty.

A funeral service was held on August 9, 2018 in the Chapel of Walker's Funeral Home, officiated by Rev. James Greenlee.  Burial followed in Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery.

Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is honored to serve the Sykes family.