Rayburn Elza Sykes

Mr. Rayburn Elza Sykes, 84, of Mount Airy, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Mr. Sykes was born February 27, 1942, in Surry County, one of seven children born to the late Charles Aaron and Mary Elsie Mosley Sykes. Rayburn devoted 30 years of his life to dairy farming at Sykes Dairy, where his strong work ethic and dedication were evident each day. After retiring from the dairy business, he continued his lifelong love of farming by raising beef cattle. Rayburn was also a faithful member of Roaring Gap Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Geraldine Johnson Sykes; a daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Mark Tedder; a son, Michael Ray Sykes; two grandchildren, Katie Marie Sykes and Gabriel Aaron Tedder and his wife, Brayden; a great-granddaughter, Ava Grace Clodfelter; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Tina and Harold Mooney and Pam Sykes; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Sykes was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jessica Michelle Sykes; a sister, Mary Lou Johnson; and three brothers, Charles Aaron Sykes, Jr., Ira William “Bill” Sykes, and David Sykes. The funeral service will be held Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Joe Atkins officiating. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 9:30 to 11:00 AM at the funeral home.