Rev. Earl Ray Sykes

Earl Ray Sykes was born to Theresa Bland and George Sykes on August 9, 1948, he was an only child. He attended Houston Independent School District and graduated from Kashmere High School in 1967. In 1993, he graduated from Commonwealth Mortuary School. In 1975 Earl obtained a BA degree in Business Administration from Addison State University. He also attended Texas Southern University and received a degree in music. Earl accepted Christ at a very early age and was called to the ministry in 1980. A self taught organist, he provided spiritual enlightenment to numerous churches I. E., East Macedonia, Calvary Hill, Holy Trinity, Hopewell and several other churches. For the last forty years Rev. Sykes has been a faithful minister of music for Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist Church, where Rev s. H. Smith has pastored for 52 years.Rev. Sykes married Yolanda Pruitt on March 29, 2008. To this union they gave of themselves to foster Precious Joseph and many others.Because of his kind spirit, contagious smile and love of sweets, he became known as "Honey." Earl tried it all, an inventor, cook, sausage and tamale maker, even made hot sauce, master BBQ chef, singer, song writer and "fix-it" man. Everything about him will be missed, from eating sweet potato pie and fried chicken to his love for playing music and singing his joy.He leaves to mourn wife; Yolanda Sykes, daughter; Earletta Derrick (Vadario) Precios (foster child), Jerome King (son), 1 aunt, Dorothy Allen (Houston, Texas), grandchildren; Shadalyia King Treshe, and Chere Thomas, and best friend and granddaughter Chelsea Derrick and a host of cousins, friends and relatives and also Rev. George Scott, best friend for life.