Sarah (Odessa) Sykes

Obituary For Sarah (Odessa) Sykes

Odessa Copeland was born November 9, 1924 to the late Otis Copeland and Ms. Hightower. She was the eldest child of the late Otis and Alzadie Gore Copeland family and supported in her rearing by her grandparents, the late Rich and Sallie Copeland.

As a young adult she relocated to Columbia, South Carolina and changed her legal name to Sarah Sykes. She retired from the South Carolina Merit System after more than 30 years of service. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina. On her seventy-fifth birthday, she was honored with a proclamation for devoted service to the Church and Usher Board. After retirement she returned home to Pine Mountain Valley, GA residing in family home. She joined Bethlehem Baptist and served faithfully until her health failed.

Odessa had a great pride in and loved her family dearly, especially her siblings. Family was the “Joy” of her life. She also had a special affection for nurturing infants and children. As such she a trusted babysitter and caretaker in supporting family and friends.

In a November visit with some family members, as she waved good bye, she proclaimed, “the next time you see me, I will be on the other side.”

Quietly on the morning of January 1, 2021 at Warm Springs Medical Center Nursing Home, God stopped by and said “Odessa” come go with me, she closed her eyes and said, “Jesus, I am ready.” In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Ernest J. Copeland; Sisters-in-law: Betty Copeland, Carrie Copeland and Annie L. Copeland.

She leaves to cherish her memories, four brothers: James Copeland, Richard Copeland, Elijah Copeland (Edna) and Frank Copeland (Margaret); one sister: Exie Avery; one sister-in-law: Geneva Jones Copeland; a host of nieces, nephews, and many loving friends that will miss her dearly.

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