Ruth Sykes

Parents:          Rev. Frederick Woodrow McIlveen, Sr. and Mrs. Lakatie Jordan McIlveen (deceased) Sunrise:      December 19, 1941 – Fairfield, Texas /           Sunset:             July 14, 2018 – Houston, Texas Education:   Hilliard High School – Bay City, Texas – class of 1960; Bachelor of Science Degree - Elementary Education (Special Ed.) – Bishop College, Dallas, Texas; and Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas – class of 1965 Marriage:       Rev. Alexander Sykes (deceased) – 42 years Daughters:         Lajourka Marie Sykes, Jennifer Annette Sykes and Dorothy Lujean Sykes Grandchildren: Alexandria Renee’ Sykes and Keuntae Caprice Sweed God-daughter:    Jocellia V. Bryant Employment:     Houston Independent School District (H.I.S.D.)/ Special Education – 33 years, retired teacher – 2001Schools: Kennedy E.S., Highland Heights E.S. and James Bowie E.S. (Rod Paige, currently) Church Affiliation(s): Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church – Madisonville, Texas – Rev. F. W. McIlveen, Pastor; Mother Zion Missionary Baptist Church – Bay City, Texas – Rev. F. W. McIlveen, Pastor; Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church – Houston, Texas – Rev. F. W. McIlveen, Pastor; Berean Missionary Baptist Church – Cedar Lane, Texas – Rev. Alexander Sykes, Pastor; Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church – Wharton, Texas – Rev. Alexander Sykes, Pastor; New Life Missionary Baptist Church – Alvin, Texas – Rev. Alexander Sykes, Pastor; Charity Baptist Church – Houston, Texas – Rev. F. W. McIlveen, Pastor; Damascus Missionary Baptist Church – Houston, Texas – Rev. Dr. L. F. Chaney, Pastor; Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church – Houston, Texas – Rev. Terry K. Anderson, Pastor. Association(s): Lilly Grove MBC – Mission #2 – Deborah Circle; Sanctuary Choir; Church School Class #1; Reach Out and Touch Ministry and Seniors on the Move; Independent Missionary Baptist General Association (IMBGA) of Texas, Mission #2; Dogan Alumni Omega Chapter - Dogan High School – Fairfield, Texas (student and teacher);    Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Dallas/ Houston Chapter;  Boys and Girl Scouts Clubs of America, Inc. – Special Education;  Special Olympics, USA - Games and Athletes; and Texas Retirement Teacher Association. Ruth Lujean “the McIlveen” as she would say, leaves to cherish her memories: Three daughters: Lajourka, Jennifer and Dorothy Sykes; two granddaughters: Alexandria R. Sykes and Keuntae C. Sweed; one god-daughter: Jocellia V. Bryant; one sister: Marcia M. Booker; four nieces: Shirley Nichols, Rosario A. “Toni” McIlveen, Sandra Booker and Natalie J. Booker; three nephews: Corey Wagner (Tiffany), Lionel Booker and Gerald Booker, Jr. (J.R.); two aunts: Mrs. Iley Warner and Mrs. Janie Jordan, and a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and good friends. She is preceded in death by her three brothers: Major Frederick W. McIlveen, Jr., Dr. Alvin L. McIlveen, DDS and Swanson “Bunche” McIlveen; and three nephews: Michael McIlveen, Gerald Booker, Sr. and James “Man” Booker, Jr.