Ruth Nelms Gibbs Sykes, 81, of Suffolk went to be with the Lord on Feb. 24, 2005 in Obici Hospital in Suffolk.

A native of Suffolk, she was retired from Colonial Stores after 32 1/2 years of service.

She was the daughter of the late Leslie F. Nelms Sr. and Ida Harrell Nelms, the widow of Arthur William Sykes and sister of the late Henley Nelms.

Mrs. Sykes was a lifelong member of Suffolk Presbyterian Church and an active volunteer and member of the American Red Cross for many years.

An avid fisherman, she enjoyed many years of fishing on the Chesapeake Bay and deep-sea fishing with her husband, Capt Bill Sykes of the Anna B.

These fishing days earned her many citations for record-size fish.

Mrs. Sykes leaves behind to cherish her memory, a daughter Joyce G. Gerald of Suffolk; a son, Phillip A. Gibbs and his wife Pixie of Franklin; three granddaughters, Kelly Gerald of Suffolk, Gretchen G. Jones and her husband Danny of Suffolk, and Ginny Turner and her husband Chris of Franklin; four great-grandchildren, Kayla Hawkins, Haylee and Brandon Turner and Will Jones; sister, Edith N. Griffin of Hampton; and a brother, Leslie F. Nelms Jr. of Suffolk..

A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in Suffolk Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Allen Johnson.

The family will receive friends in the R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory from 7 to 8:00 p.m. Friday and other times at her daughter’s residence, 114 Warren St.

Condolences may be left at www.rwbakerfh.com