Rosemary Sykes

March 20, 1938 - November 4, 2017

On March 20, 1938 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, our Heavenly Father blessed Mr. Joseph M. West and Mrs. Sammie M. West with a beautiful baby girl Rosemary. She was one of seven children that blessed their union. The family moved to Chicago, Illinois when Rosemary was a young lady. Rosemary attended Oaklawn Grammar School and graduated Hyde Park High School. She also attended Chicago State University where she studied to be a teacher. Her love of God led Rosemary to accept Christ at an early age and get baptized. Upon settling her family in East Chicago Heights, she joined Christ Temple No. 2. She was a faithful member attending regularly until her health failed her. In 1956, Rosemary West married Jimmie D. Sykes, they had four children Chris, Gina, Tina and Jimmie. Rosemary Sykes was loved in the community for her work at the the Cook County Housing Authority, Thornton Heights Terrace and Rivera Manor. For over 40 years she was the kind, gentle soul people looked forward to seeing on a daily basis. On November 4, 2017, Rosemary Sykes closed her eyes and rested from her labors. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Sammie West; a brother, Joseph; and a grandson, Cornell Hatten. Rosemary will be remembered by all who met her, but especially her children, Chris (Venus) Sykes, Gina Brown, Tina (Henry) Dye, and Jimmie Sykes Jr.; two sisters, Beverly (James) Dawson and Sheila West; three brothers, Thomas (Joan) West, Barry West, and Joel (Velma) West; 19 grandchildren; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.