Frances Faye Sykes

Frances Faye Sykes journey began on July 18, 1938 when she was born to the union of the Harry Hannibal Haywood, II and Lorena Bell (Dimery) Haywood in San Angelo, Texas. Frances Faye was the youngest of six children. She was educated in Blackshear elementary and Blackshear high (segregated) schools until she reached the 12th grade. She was among the first group of black students to attend the newly integrated Central High School where she received high school diploma. She earned an associate degree in Business Administration at Bay's Junior College in Baltimore Maryland. Frances Faye meant James Edward Sykes Sr., at age 14 and married him at age 15. From this union three children were born James Edward Sykes Jr., Gregory Allen Sykes, and Rosalyn Renae (Sykes) Johnson. Years later after arriving to Baltimore, she adopted and raised David Albert Mitchell. She moved to Baltimore in 1958 and worked a variety of jobs before she was hired at Social Security Administration (SSA). She worked there for 22 years and retired as a Recovery Reviewer. While working at SSA she became a union representative. She loved fighting for the rights of people. Her zeal for civil rights also earned her the NAACP Women of the Year award for her representation of a teenager who was the victim of racism. After retiring, Frances Faye returned to San Angelo, Texas in August 1989 to care for her mother. Her mother instilled a since of pride in her heritage by always reminding her that “We are Somebody.” She became filled with passion to make her mother’s dream come true by writing a book about our ancestors’ lives, actions, and their accomplishments. She began to delve into genealogy research, the wealth of information and contributions given to her by her mother and family members to develop a timeline. She was proud to say we are descendants of the Seminole Negro Indians and the Buffalo Soldiers. Inspired by her mother’s dream, Frances Faye founded her own business called Dimery LTD and began writing the family genealogy book. Frances Faye traveled cross country several times. First with her husband and children; second with her beloved sister (Anna); and third with her daughter. She spent several years living in Los Angeles California helping with her oldest sister, Rose. While there she continued researching and writing. The last cross-country trip was also a journey of love. She moved to Maryland to be closer to her son and daughter. She immediately joined New Saint Mark Baptist Church and became a member of the Baptist Congress of Christian Education, Auxiliary of the United Baptist Missionary Convention, Inc of the State of Maryland. France Faye knew God and gave her life to Christ when she was very young. France Faye was a devout disciple of New Saint Mark Baptist Church. She loved ...loved... "LOVED" to be involved and never hesitated to praise God. She enjoyed welcoming visitors and teaching Adult Sunday School class. She also served on the Courtesy Committee and registrar for Church-Wide Institute and Vacation Bible School. Frances Faye loved people, music, photography, writing, traveling and making others laugh. She was full of joy and loved her family. She had a spirit that would light up a room. She had a servant’s heart with a beautiful smile. “To know her was to love her.” She loved to admire God’s creation – the clouds, the landscape and especially the trees. She would often look up and around and say, ‘Look at God!” She was filled with joy to see the beautiful glaciers and other natural wonders during her cruise to Alaska. She was lovingly called Momma, Mommy, Auntie Faye, Gma, and Mother Frances. She let her faith in God keep her through it all. Always shared Jesus joy wherever she went. Her favorite sayings were “the Lord is my Shephard; I shall not want” and “To God be the Glory.”

Tributes

Frances Faye Sykes

July 18, 1930 - February 21, 2020