Southampton County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Sykes, Dr. Joseph H.M., 1922 

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JOSEPH HENRY MERRELL SYKES

   Dr. J.H.M. Sykes died Tuesday, October 23, at the Old Soldiers Home in 
Richmond at the age of 87. Dr. Sykes was born and reared in Southampton County, 
having spent his entire life here with the exception of the last three years 
when he was in Richmond. He served throughout the entire Civil War, Having been 
called to the colors while attending a medical college in Philadelphia, and as 
surgeon in the 3rd Virginia Regiment rendered efficient service in this 
capacity until he was made a prisoner just before the surrender at Appomattox.

   He was married to Laura Summerell in 1875, who survives him, and was an 
active citizen and most successful practitioner in Southampton and portions of 
Greensville and Northampton counties, making his rounds in an old-fashioned 
gig. In later years, however, he gave up his practice on account of his health 
and then moved to Boykins, where he was an active member and deacon in the 
Boykins Baptist Church for many years.

   For several years he had been a constant sufferer from paralysis, the result 
of a fall he sustained on the railroad crossing in Boykins, and from that time 
had gradually decline in health, at the same time fighting the disease 
throughout his illness in such a way that caused all who knew him to marvel.

   By his amiable and genteel manner he won for himself a host of friends 
throughout the county, who cherish the memory of him as a true Virginia 
gentleman and a consecrated Christian character. The interment took place 
Thursday in Beechwood Cemetery, Boykins, in the presence of a lager concourse 
of friends. There were many floral offerings, a tribute to his memory and of 
the love and esteem in which he was held in the community. The pallbearers 
were: W.F. McKinstry, B.F. Britt, S.J. Myrick, Dr. G.H. Musgrave, Dr. J.M. 
Bland, E.R. Bryant, N.F. Gray, W.R. Edwards.

   He is survived by his widow, one daughter, Miss Lollie Sykes, and two sons, 
J.L. and W.B. Sykes, all of Boykins and community.


[Dr. Joseph Henry Merrell SYKES, d. 23 Oct 1922, Richmond, age 87, 
 interred in Beechwood Cemetery, Boykins, 25 Oct 1922, 
 "The Tidewater News" (Franklin, VA), obit dated 27 Oct 1922, p. 1] 

[file transcribed by Mrs. Bruce Saunders (bs4403@verizon.net), 
 and re-formatted by File Manager.]