Obituaries

Bettie Elaine Croker Sykes, 95, of Sherman, Texas, died April 25, 2018, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 28, 2018, at the First Baptist Church of Sherman, Texas. Dr. Mike Lawson will officiate. The family will greet friends at Dannel Funeral Home from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Friday, April 27, 2018. Bettie was born on January 6, 1923, in High Point, North Carolina, to the late David and Winnie (Brown) Croker. She was a graduate of High Point High School and Guilford Business College. While in school, Bettie worked at Woolworth's Five and Dime. The manager placed her in the candy department because he said with her beautiful complexion, he knew she would not eat the merchandise, even though her desire was to work in cosmetics. After graduation, Bettie was employed for seven years at Minnesota Mining (later known as 3M) in High Point, NC, as secretary to the branch office manager. She later worked as a receptionist at Heritage Furniture Company also in High Point. While working at Heritage Furniture Company, Bettie was first runner up in the Miss High Point pageant. Bettie married Thurman Sykes on August 15, 1950, in High Point, NC. As an Air Force wife, she lived in many states. After Thurman's retirement, they settled in Sherman. They joined the First Baptist Church in January 1963. Bettie taught children's Sunday School at First Baptist Church and played the piano for many years for the children. Bettie was a member of Triple L at First Baptist Church. She was also a member of the Mary Brown Paul book club. Bettie was a homemaker for many years and after her children were grown she went to work. She was employed by Security Title for several decades and later worked at the Law Office of Nance & Caston. Bettie is survived by her two daughters, Sandi Williams of Plano and Susan Rains of Sherman; grandson Shane Maxwell and wife Christi of Denison; and great grandsons Garrett Maxwell and Braden Maxwell of Denison. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Arrangements are under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home in Sherman. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Preserving the Legacy Fund, 400 S. Travis, Sherman, Texas.