Bee, VA- Banner U. Sykes, age 94 of Carma Circle, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, VA. Banner was born in Coalwood, VA in Russell County on March 4, 1919, he was a son of the late Ruben and Nancy Arrington Sykes and had resided in Dickenson County since 1950. He was a retired coal miner and proud 77 year member of United Mine Workers Union local #2232. He was a founding member of the Sportsman Lake Fishing Club and especially enjoyed the Labor Day Fish Fry. He was a member of Duty View Primitive Baptist Church, in earlier years he enjoyed participating in the church and helping others in need. He loved being with family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carma, brothers, Dillo, Moscoe, Arvil, Pierce, Ruben Sykes Jr. and infant brother, Lonnie also sisters, Erma Clevinger, Sarah Ercil Rasnake, Eva Coleman, Eula Jackson and infant sister, Myrtle and a son-in-law, Danny Smith.
Survivors include three sons, Charles (Barbara) Sykes of Milton, PA, Johnny (June ) Sykes of Clintwood and Garnie (Linda) Sykes of Bee, three daughters, Betty Smith of Arlington, VA, Debbie (Paul) Gallucci of Orlando, FL and Sandy Sykes of Haysi, 9 grandchildren, Pamela Hemphill, Matthew Sykes, Susannah Sykes, Tara Geary, Carrie Bollman, John Sykes, Brian Sykes, Christina Hudson and Shane Sykes, 22 great-grandchildren, a host of special nieces and nephews and special friends and caregivers, Jean Souleyrette, Sue Wolford and Petra Bolling.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at Haysi Funeral Home with Elders Garnell Gilbert and Jim Duty officiating. Burial will follow in Russell Memorial Cemetery in Lebanon, VA. Pallbearers will be John Sykes, Matthew Sykes, Charles Hudson, Brian Sykes, Jalen Sykes, Carson Sykes, Shane Sykes and Trey Hudson. Honorary pallbearers will be David Jackson, Larry Jackson and William Rasnake. The family will receive friends after 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with an evening service at 7:00 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to www.haysifuneral.com Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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