JEAN PILAND SYKES SMITH

1925 - 2025

JEAN PILAND SYKES SMITH

August 30, 1925 - October 8, 2025

Enfield, North Carolina - Sadly, our beautiful, beloved Mother passed away on October 8,2025.

Mother was the daughter of John and Edna Allsbrook Piland of Scotland Neck. Her dad was the leader of The John Piland Orchestra, and her mother was a homemaker. She was an Irish twin to her younger brother, Jack. All pre-deceased her.

She was married to Horace L. Sykes of Enfield, a well-known builder in Enfield and Halifax County. They were parents of four children: Diane Sykes Cullipher (Lou) of Cary, Leonard Sykes (Kristen) of Stone Mountain, GA, Kenneth Sykes (Peggy) of Winston Salem, and Robert Sykes (Janet) of Rocky Mount.

Mother was especially proud of and devoted to her seven grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren who knew her as Mimi. Her grandchildren are Arnie Cullipher (Tracy Tang) of Wilmington and Asheville, Brandt Sykes (Leslie) of Signal Mountain, TN, Brooks Sykes Sutton (Lee) of Greenville, Ashley Sykes of British Columbia, Canada, Macon Sykes (Robert) Parsley of Winston Salem, Justin (Bridget) Sykes of Rocky Mount, Sara Sykes (Matt) O'Donnell of Richmond, VA.

While in Enfield, Mother served as a homeroom parent several times. Also served on the Board of Enfield Library. Mother played the piano by music and ear and was called on many times, especially for church-related activities. She started a teenage club in the late 50's. Mother was a voracious reader. We teased her that she probably read every book in all the libraries where she lived. After all her children were in school, she worked as a quasi-Activities Director at Woodard's Nursing Home.

A few years after being widowed, mother met and married Earl Davenport Smith of Lake Gaston and later Rocky Mount. She gained two stepsons through that marriage: Tom Smith (Debbie) of Moorestown, NJ and Jeff Smith (Cynthia) of Williamsburg, VA. They had 4 grandchildren and 6 Great-grandchildren. Tom and Jeff remained devoted to mother all these years after their father died.

She and Smitty, as he was known, had a wonderful life living on the lake and enjoying a full social schedule. After moving to Rocky Mount and later losing Smitty in 1999, Mother lived alone for almost 20 years until we insisted she move in with one of us or to a care facility. She chose the Fountains of the Albemarle, now the Barclay House, in Tarboro. Mother quickly adapted to her new home. She participated in many of the activities, especially Scrabble and Trivia Pursuit. She read to the seeing-impaired until her eyes started failing. Mother played the piano and sang for variety of gatherings for the residents. She seemed to know everyone there.

Mother was very outgoing and charismatic! She was a great friend to so many people no matter where her life took her. She always made new friends and continued to add relationships right up to her last few days.

Eventually mother's health declined until she needed assisted living. In February 2025, she moved to The Landings in Rocky Mount to be closer to her son, Robert and his wife, Janet. Many thanks for the constant emotional and physical care from them these past months.

Mother was hospitalized on August 8th after a fall and remained hospitalized and confined to bed until her passing.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers of Amada Senior Care who sat with mother and provided compassionate care 24 hours a day during her stay at the hospital and rehabilitation center. We especially want to thank Brittany Mangham and Nashawn Powell for their special kindness to our mother.

A Celebration of Life for our mother will be held at Lakeside Baptist Church in Rocky Mount on October 24, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Following the service, a visitation will be held at the church. A private burial service for the family will be held at Elmwood Cemetery at 4:00 p.m.

Flowers are welcome as well as memorial gifts directly to Enfield Baptist Church, 200 West Burnette Avenue, Enfield, NC 27823; or directly to Lakeside Baptist Church Children's Program, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804; or online by visiting tmcfunding.com/search then type Jean Smith.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service - Letchworth Chapel in Scotland Neck is handling arrangements for the Smith family and online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykessfs.com.