Clara L. Haga Sykes

Clara Lakie Haga Sykes, 86, died peacefully at home May 3rd. She was born in Roanoke, Va. to the late Robert Gray Haga and Chloe Rouse Haga on August 18, 1927. She was the widow of Kenneth Wesley Sykes Jr., former Fire Chief of Norfolk.

She was a devoted Mother to William Gray Sykes (Frankie) of Va. Beach, Kenneth Wesley Sykes lll (Ann), and Richard Leigh Sykes (Christie) of Norfolk. She adored her grandsons, Jeremy Leigh Sykes (Francesca), Justin Sykes, and Travis Wesley Sykes, her care-giver, all of Norfolk. She was a loving and proud great-grandmother to Allie Raye Sykes and Giovanni Georgio Sykes. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She worked at the Norfolk Naval Base after graduating from Norview High School. She also worked with disabled adults for many years. She loved quilting and her classes in ceramics at the Senior Citizens Center in Norfolk. Clara was an active member of Park Place United Methodist Church and until recently, the volunteer treasurer for13 years. She loved her church.

She was preceded in death by sister, Mary Haga Harbert. She is survived by brothers, Robert Rouse Haga (Dorothy) of Boise, ID., Donald Stephen Haga (Barbara) of Roanoke, Va., and sisters, Nancy Haga Edmunds of Va. Beach, and Davie Haga Jackson (Don) of Weaverville, NC and sister-in-law, Dorothy Sykes, of Va Beach.

She was a most selfless person-always thinking of others. She always saw the good in everyone.

All of her family loved her and she will be missed forever.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 from 6-8PM at Smith and Williams Funeral Home, 818 Norview Ave., Norfolk VA 23509.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 1PM at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 8100 Granby St., Norfolk VA 23509.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, 601 Childrens Ln, Norfolk, VA 23507 or Park Place United Methodist Church, 500 W 34th St, Norfolk, VA 23508.

You may offer your condolences at www.smithandwilliamsnorfolk.com.