Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

February 23, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Elizabeth “Betty” Sapp Sykes, born on January 16, 1927, in Miami, Florida, to the late Elbert Vernon and Willie Mae Pirkle Sapp, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 23, 2025.  She was a beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a devoted member of her community.

At just three months old, Betty moved with her family to Charlotte, where she would spend the rest of her life.  She attended Wilmore Elementary, AG Junior High, and Fassifern Academy in Hendersonville, North Carolina, before continuing her education at Queens College where she earned an associate degree in business.

Betty enjoyed a long and fulfilling career as an office manager and bookkeeper, contributing to several businesses, including Economy Electric, Sapp Electric, B & H Wholesale Beauty Supply, Stratford House, and Withrow Enterprises.

Her professional life was complemented by her deep commitment to her faith and church community.  Betty was a lifelong member of Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, the only church her parents visited upon moving to Charlotte.  She raised her children there, taught in the children’s ministry as a young mother, and served on numerous church committees over the years.  When it became physically impossible for her to attend church in person, she never missed watching the services on television on Sunday evenings. 

Betty not only cherished her relationship with Jesus but also found immense joy in spending time with her family.  She enjoyed gardening and taking care of her plants, delighted in her love for chocolate, and was an avid sports fan, particularly the Atlanta Braves and ACC basketball.

Betty is survived by her children, Anne Sykes Goodyear (George) and Vernon Sykes (Neva); daughter-in-law, Lane Sykes; her grandchildren, Kelley Goodyear Burch (Mike), Bryan Goodyear (Jane), Zach Goodyear, Lauren Sykes Black (Brandon), Meredith Sykes Lawrence, and Jordan Sykes (Grace). She was also the proud great-grandmother of Taylor Burch (Jordan), Claire Burch, Knox Goodyear, Hayes Goodyear, Reese Goodyear, and Jackson Lawrence.  She was preceded in death by her son, Tom Sykes; granddaughter Ashton Sykes; and grandson Setlar Sykes.

A Service of Celebration will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, 1117 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends following the service in the Gathering Space at the church.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Charlotte chapters of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, or the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.