Raleigh

Terry Michael Sykes, age 60, of Vidalia, GA, died Monday, November 1 ^st , 2021 after fighting a long battle with cancer. Terry was born on January 1, 1961 in Whiteville, NC to Harold and Betty Sykes. He lived most of his life in North Carolina and thoroughly enjoyed NASCAR racing, especially when Dale Earnhardt was winning, and bass fishing at Falls Lake. He attended Athens Drive High School in Raleigh and went on to become a skilled flooring installer by trade. He was the proud parent of one daughter, Betty Nicole Adams, and two granddaughters, Adelynn and Sydney Buchanan.

Over the last few years, his life took on a new meaning as he dedicated his life to Jesus and found his purpose serving other recovering addicts. He was a member of Connection Church and a founding member of The Forge Recovery Center. Terry had a unique way of making people feel seen and heard. He inspired many people, especially the at-risk youth he mentored, with his honesty, empathy, and love. He never missed an opportunity to share his experience with others if he felt that it would help in some small way. He was real, raw, and unapologetic in his delivery, yet his smile and laughter showed his gentle, soft side. Even after Terry's diagnosis, he never lost his ability to laugh and find hope. To know Terry was to love him, and he will be greatly missed.

Terry was preceded in death by his father, Harold Sykes and his brother, Gary Sykes. He is survived by his mother, Betty Sykes; daughter, Betty Adams; sister, Connie Harmon; granddaughters Adelynn and Sydney Buchanan; and son-in-law, Michael Adams.