Obituaries

On January 10, 2026, Delores Cleonia Roselle Sykes, Ph.D, departed from this life at Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News, VA. She was the devoted wife of 70 years to the late LTC (Ret) William Luther Sykes and the eldest daughter of the late John Sinclair and Bertha Dennis Roselle. She was predeceased by her firstborn infant son, Daryl Conrad Sykes, and her younger sisters Lottie Odessa Roselle-Morris and Mable Virginia Roselle.

Having been born in Accomack County on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Delores’ childhood and adolescent years were lived in Exmore, Virginia, from the age of four when her parents moved there. A natural outgrowth of her parental training and guidance was to have a relationship with God and His son, Jesus Christ. At the age of fifteen, Delores confessed her belief in God and His son Jesus Christ. She was baptized and joined Mount Calvary church in Exmore. During those years at Mount Calvary, she participated in Sunday school and other ministries until she left to attend college in 1949. Several years after Delores graduated from college, she and her husband returned to Norfolk, Virginia, where she joined Saint Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
and remained a faithful member until a career change necessitated a move to Hampton, Virginia, in 1970. One year later, she joined her husband in studying the bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses, whereby she became a baptized member in 1973.

Delores earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. She received a Master of Arts degree from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. She did post-graduate studies at Pennsylvania State University at State College, PA, and earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.

Delores’ teaching career began in the Chesapeake School System in Chesapeake, VA. Nine years later, she accepted the position as teacher educator in the Department of Human Ecology at Hampton University. This marked the beginning of numerous positions and responsibilities at the University until her early retirement as an Associate Professor in 1988.

Although her family and academic responsibilities were numerous, Delores found time to join and participate in a number of professional and social organizations. Among them were: The National Education Association, The Virginia Education Association, The National Council of Family Relations, and The American Home Economics Association. She was also a member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

We thank God for blessing us with our dear loved one for 93 years and for the legacy she and her devoted husband left us. She leaves to cherish her memory: Daughter, Del Fionn Sykes Dinkel (Todd); Son, Ethan Doyle Sykes (Crescencia); Grandson, William-Luther Sykes; Nephews, Terrence L. Roselle, Daryl C. Roselle (Kimberly); Great nephews, Jeremiah C. Roselle (Aeoris), Josiah C. Roselle; Great niece, Jireh Renee Roselle; Sister-in-law, Beverly Franklin; Brothers-in-law, Harry Sykes (Marion), Thomas Sykes (Vickie); and other beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, godchildren, and friends.

The family will receive friends on Monday, January 19, at 1:00 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home, with a funeral service following at 1:30 p.m. Burial will take place at Peninsula Memorial Park.