CATHERINE ‘KATIE’ SYKES

Mrs. Catherine Elizabeth (Katie) Sykes, age 99, of Nacogdoches, Tex., formerly of Canton, Mo., died September 15, 2023, in Nacogdoches.

She was born January 27, 1924, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Francis Joseph and Margaret Maybell (Hendrix) McColloch.  At age 2, Katie’s family moved to the Monroe City, Mo., area where she grew up.  Katie attended Culver-Stockton College, graduating in 1946.

She was united in marriage to Donald E. Sykes on June 9, 1946.  To this union, two children were born: D. Eugene (Marcia) Sykes, Jr. (deceased) and Patricia A. (Ray) Sides. She is survived by Patricia (Ray) Sides of Nacogdoches; grandson, Charles Hutton of Houston, Tex.; two step-grandsons, Steven (Mistie) Sides of Houston, Tex., and Jeremy Sides of Malvern, Ark.; two step-great grandchildren, Kyla Sides and Kaz Sides of Houston, Tex..  She is also survived by nephews and nieces of the St. Charles, Mo., area:  Frank (Craig) McColloch, Michael (Tonja) McColloch, Maggie McColloch, Mary (Tim) Davis and Ann (Matt) Miller.   

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband, and son.

Katie took considerable pride in the fact that she worked at Culver Stockton as a bookkeeper to put herself through college. After she and Don were married, and upon his return from serving in the Army, they purchased a local sundry store and successfully raised their two children while owning and operating Don’s Grand Leader.  Don’s was a popular spot in downtown Canton that had a positive influence on many C-SC and CHS students. After Don’s Grand Leader was sold, Katie returned to her bookkeeping work at Canton R-V School District and retired in 1993.

She was a loyal alumna of Culver-Stockton College and member of the Chi Omega Sorority.  In 2017, Katie was honored for seventy-five years of membership in the Sisterhood.  She was also a long-time member of the Canton Christian Church and compassionate about sending greeting cards to church members as well as many of her other friends.  When she moved to Texas, she enjoyed writing letters about her activities to send with those cards.  She also enjoyed completing crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and playing many versions of Solitaire and Mahjong on the computer.

It was Katie’s wish to have a peaceful graveside service.  Plans for the service at Forest Grove Cemetery are pending.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the Canton Christian Church or the Culver-Stockton Scholarship Fund.