Sue "Tootsie" Sykes Russell

Sue "Tootsie" Sykes Russell, age 79, of Bolivar, departed this life Saturday morning, January 28, 2017 at Bolivar General Hospital.

The widow of Jones Raymond Russell, who died on June 28, 2008, she was retired from the City of Bolivar as a clerk. She was born December 9, 1937, in Hardeman County, daughter of the late John Thomas Sykes and Tullie Olla Duncan Sykes, living a short time in Memphis and most of her life in Hardeman County. Very much a "people person", she enjoyed making jewelry, reading and participating in events in the community. She served in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the American Legion and active in the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW. Mrs. Russell held membership at Hebron Baptist Church but attended First Baptist Church in Bolivar.

Survivors include a daughter, Dezanne Russell of Goodlettsville; four brothers, Joe Vernon Sykes of York, PA, Robert "Bob" Sykes (Claudine) of Athens, TN, Howard Sykes (Beth) of Newnan, GA and Gerald Sykes (JoAnne) of Bolivar; an honorary daughter, Janice Berryman of Bolivar; honorary grandchildren, Crystal Anderson, Kelly Berryman, Carman Berryman, Hannah Hall and Sophie Hall; 2 honorary great grandchildren, Mary and Sam Anderson; beloved nieces and nephews, Marilyn Marcum, Dianna Moore, Brenda Bryant Copeland, Karen Bryant Hasenbank, Patricia Baker Kennedy and Kent Maxwell; and too many other nieces and nephews to name. In addition to her parents, and her husband, she was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Buster, Bill and Ed Sykes; and 4 sisters, Mary Howell, Eugenia Bryant, Margie Maxwell and Annie Ruth Baker. Memorials in her name may be made to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary or the Bolivar First Baptist Church.