Cora Sykes

August 6, 1922 - July 4, 2021

Cora Lee Sykes was born on August 6, 1922 in Texarkana, Texas. Cora was the sixth in a line of eleven children born to Jack and Rachael Jones. She received her education at home from her mother who was a school teacher at the time. When Cora relocated to Chicago, IL she received a sewing certificate at a local sewing school. While in Chicago, she met and married Willey Sykes and went on to have five children. After Mr. Sykes’ untimely death, she met Roy Tucker and from their union, three more children were born. Mr. Tucker moved her out of the bustling city to the quiet country of Hopkins Park, IL where she settled down with her family in their home until his death. After, she lived her life for and with her family in her home in Hopkins Park where she raised pigs, cows, chickens, and was an excellent gardener and an avid fisherwoman. If she wasn’t on the banks of the Kankakee River, she was enjoying her favorite team, the Chicago Cubs. Cora loved her extended family as was apparent by the many years of hosting family gatherings at her home. She also was caretaker for several of her brothers and sisters toward the end of their lives. Cora was called home on July 4, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Mr. Willey Sykes and Mr. Roy Tucker; two sons, Willey and Phillip Sykes; her loving parents, Jack and Rachael Jones; her brothers and sisters, Sugar, Baby Boy, Robert, Jessie, Valentine, Henry, Thomas, Tennessee, Annie and Howard. Cora leaves to cherish her memory, three daughters, Sandra Sykes of Palm Bay, FL, Norma Tucker of Bourbonnais, IL and Robin Stroud of Hopkins Park, IL; three sons, Winston (Sheree) Sykes of Bourbonnais, IL, Donnie Tucker of Hopkins Park, IL and Rory (Bernice) Tucker of Hopkins Park, IL; 22 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren, and a host of great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.