Mrs. Ollie Vivian Sykes' Obituary
Ollie Vivian (Snowden) Sykes was born on April 18, 1937 to Ezell and Ollie Mae Snowden of Shucktown, MS. She was the fourth of nice children and was preceded in death bu her husband, Billy L. Sykes, as well as her brother John Wallace Snowden, and sisters Ariel Snowden and Ina Pearl Snowden Fairley. Raised in a Christian home, she accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Pleasant Baptist church in Shucktown, MS. She later became affiliated with other churches, but returned to Mt. Pleasant where she remained a faithful servant until illness and ultimate death prevented her attendance.
In her early years, one might say that she was mischievous, daring and innovative. She could run the fastest, swing the highest from a muscadine vine, ride a bicycle with her eyes closed and make the neatest doll dresses. She was always busy doing something an sometimes those endeavors got others in trouble- if she explained it right. She had a curious mind and was constantly challenged to do new things.
Ollie’s education began at the Snowden School (Shucktown, MS); the Piney Woods Country Life School (Rakin County, MS - near Jackson); and she graduated from Bailey Vocational School, Bailey, MS. She began her college education at T.J. Harris High School and transferred to Jackson State University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English; and a Master’s degree in Library Science from Mississippi State University.
Ollie’s professional life reflected the characteristics of a bold and innovative leader. Starting out in the classroom as a teacher, then coach of the girls’ basketball team at carver Elementary school and finally Librarian and Media Specialist for the Meridian Public School System where she retrieved from public service in July of 1991. Also, during her years of public service, she was the first Black female to serve on the Mississippi Correctional Institution’s Board of Directors. Her church and community activities were extensive.
She is survived by: a devoted son, Tremelle L. Sykes; grandson, Nicholas Sykes; sisters and brothers: Brunetta Snowden-Willis, Ezell Snowden, Jr., Nancy Snowden-Floyd (Benjamin, Ph.D), Jesse William Snowden and Martha Joyce Snowden-Grier; sister-in-law, Laura D. Sykes; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and many life-long caring friends.
We will dearly miss Ollie but in our hearts we know that she is in a better place, in the arms of our Heavenly Father.
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