Dolores Marie Sykes was born on March 20, 1942, to Estella Franklin and John Coleman in Elizabeth, NJ. She graduated from Battin High School in Elizabeth, NJ in 1960.  She went on to work as a key punch operator at Singer Sewing Machine Company in Elizabeth, NJ.  She then worked at AT&T in Piscataway, NJ,  then finished her work career at Fayetteville Police Department in Fayetteville, NC.

In 1962, Dolores met the love of her life, James "Frank" Sykes in Elizabeth, NJ.  Dolores and Frank went on to marry on February 14, 1971, and raised a family with four children, Venus, Spring, Joy and James "Frankie".

Dolores and Frank retired back to his home state of North Carolina in 1989.  Retirement was short lived, as Frank purchased a truck and Dolores traveled with him whenever she could and saw the country.  Dolores was loved by all who met her, and all who met her were fed by her as she loved to cook.  No one ever left her house hungry!  She also enjoyed crocheting, sewing and watching her favorite soap operas and game shows. She loved her family and loved to spoil her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Loving Survivors include children, Venus (Cory) Williams of Phillipsburg, PA, Spring Sykes of Tampa, FL, Joy Vinson of Tampa, FL, and James "Frankie" (Suzanne) Sykes II of Spring Lake, NC; bonus son Marco (Amanda) Bungert of Abbeville, SC; brother-in-law John (Rowena) Sykes of Selma, NC; and sister-in-law Naomi Davis of NJ; grandchildren Crystal, Devin, Diamond (Mario), Chelsea, James "Frankie" III (Joyniel), Dennis II, Cassandra "Cassie", Daniel "Danny"; bonus granddaughter Alexys,  Jenea (Justin), Jerica (Omar),  Deondre' (Kim), Corey, Jr.; 16 great grandchildren, Alaura, Kaiyah, Amaria, Arayna, Ariana, Jaden, Jahmir, Khalil, Angel, Neveah, Renee, Armani, Keyana, Romero, Ny'Jay, and a host of family and friends.

Dolores was predeceased by her husband Frank Sykes, her parents, siblings, Estelle Singleton, Richard "Dickey" Franklin, Frederick "Freddie" Franklin and Gerald "Jerry" Franklin, son in law, Dennis Vinson and bonus daughter, Kristy Spencer.

Services will be held at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301 on April 1, 2023. Visitation will be held at 10:30am with an 11:30am memorial service to follow. Burial will follow at Lafayette Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be left at http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301