Elizabeth “Lib” Sykes Hayden

Lib was born in Statesville, NC, on August 21, 1935, to the late Coy Alfred Sykes and Rachel Frye Sykes. She graduated from Statesville High School and attended Queens College where she was a member of Phi Mu sorority.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church where she served as President of the Episcopal Church Women, was a member of the Hospitality Group for funeral services and participated in the sewing ministry group that makes pillows and blankets for nursing homes and children’s shelters.

She enjoyed walks with her husband Tommy through woods and parks to bird watch. She loved collecting antiques, cooking, and she especially loved all her grandchildren.

Before retiring to Columbia, she lived in Edisto Beach SC, Tryon NC, South Yarmouth, MA, Charleston SC and Bermuda.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Epting Hayden, her brother, William Joseph Sykes, her grandson, Clay Milling and her sister-in-law, Margaret “Peggy” Sykes.

Those left to cherish her memory are her three sons, Crawford Milling (Kimberly Milling), Bill Milling, and Craig Milling (Alecia Milling); her two stepsons, Charles Hayden (Gail Hayden), and Hart Hayden (John “Mac” Cooley); her grandchildren, Mark Milling and Belle Milling; her step grandchildren, Ali Hayden, Jonathan Hayden and Katherine Hayden Barnes (Brewer); nieces, Margaret Adams (Charley) and Vicki Hudgins (Robert); nephew, Joe Sykes (Sharon) and her very dear friends, Louise Alford and Frances Byers.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Wellmore and especially Nurse Sherry.

Services will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on Tuesday, May 19, at 11:00 a.m., officiated by The Reverend Susan Wight. The family will receive friends at 10:30 a.m. in the Hospitality Hall prior to the service and afterwards in the Parish Hall. Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memorials can be made to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 170 St. Andrews Road, Columbia SC 29210 or a charity of one’s choice.