Brenda Sykes Conway

HILLSBOROUGH: Brenda Sykes Conway, 72, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2024, with her family by her side at her home in Hillsborough. She was born in Durham, the sixth of 11 children, to the late Samuel Wilson Sykes and Kathleen Brown Sykes. In addition to her parents, Brenda was also predeceased by her loving husband of 30 years, William "Butch" Conway, and by her brothers, Calvin, Dwight, Jimmy, Harry and David Sykes.
Brenda was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was passionate about all that she did and about her love of the Lord, her family, and service to others. Brenda received her high school diploma from Orange High School in 1969. She worked as a Secretary for the Orange County Cooperative Extension Service for 33 years, retiring in 2006. In the years that followed, Brenda visited and brought baked goods to local nursing homes; she opened her home to three international exchange students; and she volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Efland Cheeks Elementary School, and Relay for Life. Over an eight-year period, Brenda's Relay for Life team raised more than twenty-one thousand dollars in support of cancer research, and in memory of her beloved late husband, Butch. She grew up attending the Gospel Baptist Tabernacle Church. In her final years, she attended Wayside Baptist Church with the faithful support of her loving brother, Ken, and a lifelong friend, Becky Howell. Brenda was known for her contagious smile and uplifting spirit and frequently encouraged others with her visits and cards. She loved life, ice cream, and once upon a time, driving around town with loved ones in her white convertible Pontiac Sunbird.
Mrs. Conway is survived by her daughter, Melissa "Missy" Ann Grizzle, and her husband, David; son, Edward "Wayne" Conway, and his wife and step-son, Anna and Pierce; grandchildren, Stephen "Trey" Grizzle and Trenton "Trent" Edward Grizzle; former international exchange student, Svetlana Popova; siblings, Mary Eggers, Billy Sykes, Catherine Hall, Debra Fields, and Ken Sykes; and by multiple nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 23rd at Wayside Baptist Church with Pastor Brad Williams and Pastor David Bolick officiating. Burial will follow in Gospel Baptist Tabernacle Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, January 22nd at Clements Funeral Home in Hillsborough.
If you would like to make a donation, please send it to Wayside Baptist Church. Mailing address is 2232 US-70, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Donate is https://givingflow.rebelgive.com/4d75b5c09c7432d4aaae
The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Hillsborough. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.