Obituary for John Morris Sydnor
John Morris Sydnor, Sr. passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, May 15, 2023. He was born on May 6, 1936, in Hague, Virginia to Otho Lunsford and Elizabeth Morris Sydnor. One of twelve children, he grew up on the family farm where he gained a wealth of skills and learned the importance of hard work. He graduated from Cople High School in 1954 and from the Apprentice School of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in 1958. During his years in Hampton, VA he and Joyce, while raising a family, were active in their community, volunteering through the Jaycees and other organizations. After 20 years, they moved their family back to the Northern Neck where he, with his son Greg, owned and operated Sydnor, Inc. General Contracting until his retirement.
John and Joyce helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars over many years for the American Cancer Society through the area Relay For Life, which was a passion of theirs. He was also an active member of Habitat For Humanity in the Northern Neck.
John was a lifelong member of Cople Parish Episcopal Church where he served over the years as Senior Warden, Junior Warden and as Vice-President and Treasurer of the Association of the Preservation of Yeocomico Church. His extensive knowledge contributed to the maintenance and repair of the parish buildings, especially his beloved Yeocomico Church.
His greatest joy in life was his family, and he is survived by sons, John Morris Sydnor, Jr. and his wife Brenda, Edward Lee Sydnor and his wife Trisha, Gregory Otho Sydnor and his wife JoAnn; a daughter, Lenna Sydnor Daiger and her husband, Tim; grandchildren, Jessica Sydnor (Jeff Morris), Sarah Daiger (Stacy Critchfield), Leah Sydnor Rawley (Daniel), Emily Sydnor (Jakob Miner), Brian Daiger (Mary), Katrin Sydnor (Alex Constantinou) and Joseph Martin Otho Sydnor; great-granddaughters, Raelynd Kate Daiger and Charlie Bay Daiger, brothers, James Sydnor (Dora) and William O. Sydnor (Courtney); sisters, Emma Phillips, Ann Howell, and Janet Williamson (Colin); and numerous nieces and nephews; and his very special companion, his dog, Lily. He was also blessed with many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Along with his parents, John was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 63 years, Joyce Lochte Sydnor. He was also predeceased by a brother, Otho Lunsford Sydnor, Jr; sisters, Hester Sanford, Louise Sydnor, Thelma Sanders, Effie Manly, and Margaret Sydnor.
The family would like to thank John’s very special caregiver, Bernita “Boo” Payne and the staff of Riverside Hospice for their loving care in his final days.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 26, 2023, at Yeocomico Episcopal Church with the Reverend Kristen Farrington officiating.
A reception will be held at Ames Lee Hall immediately following the interment.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cople Parish Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 249, Kinsale, VA 22488.
John and Joyce helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars over many years for the American Cancer Society through the area Relay For Life, which was a passion of theirs. He was also an active member of Habitat For Humanity in the Northern Neck.
John was a lifelong member of Cople Parish Episcopal Church where he served over the years as Senior Warden, Junior Warden and as Vice-President and Treasurer of the Association of the Preservation of Yeocomico Church. His extensive knowledge contributed to the maintenance and repair of the parish buildings, especially his beloved Yeocomico Church.
His greatest joy in life was his family, and he is survived by sons, John Morris Sydnor, Jr. and his wife Brenda, Edward Lee Sydnor and his wife Trisha, Gregory Otho Sydnor and his wife JoAnn; a daughter, Lenna Sydnor Daiger and her husband, Tim; grandchildren, Jessica Sydnor (Jeff Morris), Sarah Daiger (Stacy Critchfield), Leah Sydnor Rawley (Daniel), Emily Sydnor (Jakob Miner), Brian Daiger (Mary), Katrin Sydnor (Alex Constantinou) and Joseph Martin Otho Sydnor; great-granddaughters, Raelynd Kate Daiger and Charlie Bay Daiger, brothers, James Sydnor (Dora) and William O. Sydnor (Courtney); sisters, Emma Phillips, Ann Howell, and Janet Williamson (Colin); and numerous nieces and nephews; and his very special companion, his dog, Lily. He was also blessed with many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Along with his parents, John was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 63 years, Joyce Lochte Sydnor. He was also predeceased by a brother, Otho Lunsford Sydnor, Jr; sisters, Hester Sanford, Louise Sydnor, Thelma Sanders, Effie Manly, and Margaret Sydnor.
The family would like to thank John’s very special caregiver, Bernita “Boo” Payne and the staff of Riverside Hospice for their loving care in his final days.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 26, 2023, at Yeocomico Episcopal Church with the Reverend Kristen Farrington officiating.
A reception will be held at Ames Lee Hall immediately following the interment.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cople Parish Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 249, Kinsale, VA 22488.