Elizabeth Lee Smoak Sykes

Elizabeth, “Lib”, was born in Rock Hill, SC on July 3, 1923 to the late Curtis Pinkney Smoak and Bertie Lee Reynolds Smoak. Incredibly generous and caring, she touched the lives of every member of her family and all who knew her.

In 1939, Lib married James Cleveland Sykes and the two spent 48 years happily married until his death in 1987. They loved to travel together and visited nearly every state in the U.S. In 1949, they opened the Dairy-O, a landmark in Orangeburg, SC for 74 years. Lib ran the business until her 95th year, and it is still in operation today.

Lib was well known for her wonderful cooking and enjoyed crocheting, gardening, and spending time with her family. A sweet, genteel person, she would often surprise people with her sly sense of humor.

Nonny or NeNonna, as she was affectionately known to her grandchildren, loved giving much more than receiving. Her generosity, kindness, and commitment to her family made her a role model to all.

Lib was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Columbia. She enjoyed her Sunday school class and even while homebound she never missed a televised service.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, brothers Andrew Washington Smoak, Curtis Pinkney Smoak, Jr.; sisters Molley Smoak Jesse, Bertie Smoak Culifer, Jane Smoak Roberts, Sallie Lou Smoak; her daughter-in-law Nancy Blatt Sykes, and grandson, James “Jim” Richard Sykes, Jr.

Lib is survived by her sons, Gene Carlton Sykes and James Richard Sykes (Sheri). Elizabeth also leaves behind four grandchildren; Carol Sykes McElveen (James), James “Eddie” Edward Sykes (Maristela), Emily Anna Donovan (David), Elizabeth McClellan Jenkinson (Victor); and six great-grandchildren; Michaela McElveen Edelson (Alec), Elizabeth Lillian Jenkinson, Christopher William Sykes, Victor Paul Jenkinson Jr., Phoebe Boyd Jenkinson, and Edward Moises Araujo Sykes.

A memorial service will be held will be held at three o'clock on November 26, 2023 in Boyce Chapel at First Baptist Church, 1306 Hampton Street , Columbia, S.C. The family will receive friends following the service in Lindsay Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dunbarfuneralhomedevine.com for the Sykes family.