Melissa Lunn Sykes

Melissa Lunn Sykes, age 61, of Rockwood, TN, peacefully passed away at her home on November 28, 2025.

Mrs. Sykes was born on Thursday, April 9, 1964, in Corpus Christi, TX, daughter of John Lunn and Phyllis (Walls) Lunn.

Melissa was a Graduate of High Point University, High Point, NC. Received her Master’s Degree from Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.

Melissa was a Youth and Education Minister at St. James United Methodist Church Tarboro, NC. After leaving there, she became an independent kitchen consultant for The Pampered Chef giving her time to stay at home and raise her children. She later became a High School History Teacher at Mt. Pisgah Christian Academy Oliver Springs, TN. She would leave there to home school her children through middle school. She then began to work as a substitute teacher and later became a bookkeeper/secretary for Knox County Schools. She was a member at Cumberland Homestead Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Kenny Sykes; son, John Sykes (Sydney); daughter, Virginia Wooten (Brandon); grandchildren, Paislee Russell and Grady Sykes; mother, Phyllis Lunn; and brother, Robert "Chip" Lunn (Cherie); brother-in-law, Don Sykes (Debbie); sister-in-law, Lisa Lewis (Jesse); nieces and nephews, Erin McAdams (Ben), Benjamin Lunn (Sara), Elysha Goldstein (Andy), Melissa Fluellen (Kenny), and Madison Johnson (Casey); great niece and nephews, Levi McAdams, Emma McAdams, Harvest Lunn, Juniper Lunn, Madelyn Goldstein, Tanner Goldstein, Kenneth Fluellen III "Tripp" .

Melissa is preceded in death by her father, John Lunn; father-in-law Charles Sykes; mother-in-law Barbara Sykes; Aunt Marilyn Price (Bill) and nephew, Brandon Lewis.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at Cumberland Homestead Baptist Church on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM. Family will receive friends from 12:00 to 1:00 PM prior to the service. Those who attend are requested to wear colorful attire per Melissa’s request.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Cumberland Homestead Baptist Church in Melissa’s memory.

Arrangements and Care provided by Bilbrey Funeral Home and Cremation Service.