Alice Gaylor Sykes Rose

ALICE GAYLOR SYKES ROSE (April 15, 1929 – October 24, 2021)

Alice Rose died peacefully on October 24, 2021, after a long and loving life. Alice was a strong and devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend. She enriched the lives of the people she touched. 

Alice was the third daughter of Alice and Henry Gaylor of Magnolia, NC. She had two older sisters, Margaret and Hilda, and two younger brothers, Donald and Wade.  At age twelve, her father died and her mother, seriously disabled by health issues, led Alice not only to take care of her mother but also her brothers, Donald and Wade, ages 10 and 8. 

Alice graduated from Magnolia High School in 1947 and briefly attended the Charlotte School of Commerce, but returned home to take care of her mother.  While working at the Register of Deeds in Kenansville, she had a blind date with Sgt. Robert Sykes. They were married in 1949 and had three daughters, Mary Alice, Susan and Catherine. When Robert retired from the Army in 1964, they moved to Clinton, NC where the family was active in the First United Methodist Church. Alice and Robert were married for 32 years until his death in 1981. 

Alice found joy and opportunities to be a loving presence in many ways throughout her life, including cooking, gardening, and for many years she worked at Sampson County Health Department as a secretary. Most of all, she was devoted to the churches she attended, including faithful service as a soprano in the church choir, teaching Sunday School, coordinating church functions, and was a tireless kitchen volunteer.  Her pan-fried cornbread, fried chicken and meringue pies were her specialty. 

Alice married Byron Rose in 1991 and this brought another extended family she loved into her life. After marrying Byron, she joined Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church. She loved this church and was recognized as a Presbyterian Woman of the Year.  Alice was by Byron’s side, caring for him until his death in 2008. 

Alice stayed strong, resolute and active well into her eighties. She was a doer and would tackle any project head-on. She was often seen mowing her large lawn at 801 College Street. She continued to enjoy gardening, cooking and offering assistance to her aging friends. But her greatest joy was in her loving family. Although the family was spread far and wide, she delighted in their visits, photos, videos and the latest news on children and grandchildren of the Sykes and Rose families. 

Alice was predeceased by her husbands, Robert and Byron, her sisters, Margaret Johnson and Hilda Clark and brother, Wade Gaylor. She is survived by her brother, Donald Gaylor (Col. USAF, Retired) and wife, Will, of Wichita, KS, her daughters Mary Faircloth (Jim) of Winona, MN, Susan Shenton (Bill) of Cary, NC and Catherine Cline (Steve) of Raleigh, NC. Grandchildren include Jacob Faircloth (Amy), Marcy Faircloth (Caylan Larson), Sarah Shenton, Seth Cline, Amelia Cline, Maclin Peters and Campbell Peters. The Rose family includes George Rose (Neal) Carolina Beach, NC, Bill Rose (Julee) Winston- Salem, NC and Joel Rose of Clinton NC.

Alice’s daughters and her family are grateful for the loving care extended to Alice by the staff at Brighton Gardens in Raleigh, NC over the past 22 months and most recently the wonderful support provided by 3HC Hospice who provided care and comfort to Alice in the last week of her life.

A memorial service to celebrate Alice’s life will be held at Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church , 201 Fayetteville St, Clinton, NC 28328 at 1:00pm on Friday, October 29 with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church, http://gravesmemorial.org.  Funeral arrangements by Crumpler Honeycutt Funeral Home of Clinton, NC, https://www.crumpler-honeycutt.com

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