Mildred Sykes Baines

   Mildred Merle Sykes Baines, 96, a longtime resident of Maple Street, Gatesville, NC, and more recently of Gates House Assisting Living, died Wednesday, December 8, 2021 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

   Mrs. Baines was born September 8, 1925 in Enfield (Halifax County), and was the daughter of the late Claude McCoy Sykes and Alice Beatrice Cooke Sykes. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Marion “Pete” Baines; sisters, infant Claudine Parker Sykes, Alma Sykes, Alyce Eure, Lucille Gossett, Idolene Koonce, and Jacquelyn Todd; and by brothers, George Earl and John Collins Sykes.

   A homemaker, Mrs. Baines was a member of Gatesville United Methodist Church and had served as the church treasurer for many years.

   Surviving are her children, Alice Elizabeth “Beth” Baines Wages (husband, Marshall) of Lilburn, GA; and Marian Gayle Baines Harrell (husband, Robert), and Horace M. Baines, Jr., both of Gatesville. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Lori Wages Branch (husband, David), Lisa Wages Wolfe (husband, Rob), Stacey Harrell Phillips (husband, Scott) and Robert Scott Harrell (wife, Audrey); and six great-grandchildren, Emma Ann, Grace Elizabeth, and Wesley Allen Branch, Robert Jackson Wolfe, and Oliver Liam and Owen Reese Harrell.

   A graveside memorial service will be held in the Gatesville Cemetery at a later time.

   Memorial contributions may be made to the Gatesville United Methodist Church, in care of Barbara Wiant, Treasurer, P.O. Box 134, Gatesville, NC 27938.

   Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.