BROOKSVILLE — Willie Bell Sykes, 88, died Nov. 9, 2025, at Arrington Assisted Living Community. 

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at Second Baptist Church, with Randy Conley Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Brooksville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, at Lee-Sykes Funeral Home. Lee-Sykes Funeral Home of Columbus is in charge of arrangements. 

Mrs. Sykes was born May 19, 1937, in Brooksville, to the late Carl Daily and Henrieta Dailey Dooley. She was formerly employed as an educator. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Sykes; son, Al Curtis Dailey; brother, Luster B. Dailey and James Henry Dooley; sisters, Louise Ewig, Nezzie Burnett and Mevelaa Andrews; and one grandchild. 

She is survived by his daughter, Linda Adams; sons, Lonnie Daily, Bobby Daily and Leonard Daily; sisters, Betty Brackett and Mary Jones; brother, Emmit Dooley; and 11 grandchildren. 

Pallbearers will be Eric Dooley, Derek Dooley, Terry Brackett, Stacy Mitchell, Dennis Andrews, Marcus Andrews and Tony Brackett.