Margarett Ellen Ladd Sykes' Obituary
Margarett Ellen Ladd Sykes was born an only child on November 27, 1923, in Memphis, TN, to the late Barbara Maureen House Martin, and John Ike Ladd. Margarett was raised by her late grandmother, Annie Agnes House and attended Snowden Elementary, Fairview Junior High, and graduated from Central High School in Memphis, TN. Her only marriage was to the late Richard Rommell Sykes. Margarett was an exceptionally talented roller skater, and won many medals and trophies during her career. She taught skating and performed as well at Rainbow Roller Skating Rink in Memphis, TN. She was a pioneer in the fact that she was one of the first sixteen women hired by the Memphis Police Department in 1959, and had a career of thirteen years as a school crossing guard with them and later transferred to the Tennessee Highway Patrol where she retired in 1985 as Supervisor at the Shelby Drive Driver’s Testing Station. Margarett also was one of the first teacher’s aides hired in Memphis, for the first special education classes in the Memphis City School System. Her hobbies were dancing, yard work, crafts, and outdoor activities. Margarett was lovingly cared for by her nurses and CNA attendants at Quince Rehab and Nursing facility until her death. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, step mother, Velma Ladd, and step brother, Bobby Ladd. She is survived by her only child Deborah Sykes Walker, (Wayne), grandsons, David Boyd Jones, Derrell Andrew Jones, four great grandchildren , cousin, Eloise Cabrera, nephews Richard Cabrera, Curt Ladd, nieces Patricia Cabrera Webster, Charlotte Jean Ladd, and Christie Ladd. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
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