Irene Hodge Sykes

Irene Hodge Sykes passed away peacefully at her home on December 4, 2015 surrounded by her family. She was the daughter of John Manning Hodge and Marie Odom Hodge. Irene was originally from Raleigh N.C. and a graduate of Needham Broughton High School. She attended the Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, N.C. for nursing school. She was also a lab chemist with the Buckeye Cotton and Oil Seed Company in Raleigh, N.C. On November 23, 1957, she married the love of her life Thomas H. Sykes, Jr. She moved to Charlotte to start their family and also to support Tom with his endeavor of building Authorized Appliance Servicenter. Authorized became the largest family owned business for the repair and parts sales of portable domestic appliances in the Carolinas. Upon his death in 1976, Irene assumed leadership and the Presidency of Authorized Appliance Servicenter. She had the foresight to move Authorized from the repair of domestic appliances into the commercial foodservice equipment industry. At the time, she was one of 2 women to successfully run a company in the foodservice equipment industry in the US. Today there are only 4 women who still run such businesses. As a business woman she was involved in the day to day operations of every aspect of the business. Her business career expanded over 4 decades. She was involved in many industry organizations. Irene was the first women on the board of directors of NASA. She was a 2 term Secretary and a 4 term board member of CFESA. Irene was a member of Carmel Country Club where she enjoyed playing golf; she was also a member of Altrusa International, and a member of Providence Methodist Church. Irene was passionate about her sports. She and her husband were original season ticket holders for N.C State Football and Basketball and the Carolina Panthers. She loved to tell stories of the Dixie Classic which became the ACC Tournament that she never missed. She was a season ticket holder and supported the UNCC Forty Niners for many years, as well as public and private foundations. Irene also had a love for Wrightsville Beach and for traveling which she did extensively. She was predeceased by 3 brothers James Monroe Hodge, Joseph Lawrence Hodge of Raleigh, N.C. and Cecil Ray Hodge of Charlotte, N.C. Irene is survived by her daughter Shannon Lee Sykes and fiancé Troy Wayne Gerald of the home. Her son John Richardson Sykes of Charlotte, her nephew and "son" Stephen Kenneth Elam of Pine Knoll Shores, N.C. , his partner Marty Cotten and her Caregiver Elaine Stephens of Charlotte, N.C. She is also survived by her sisters Eloise Hodge Bazemore, and Shirley Hodge Peeler of Raleigh, N.C. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, December 7, 2015 at her home with a celebration of her life to follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests that you send donations to the Altrusa International, CFESA World Headquarters and Training Center, or the Charity of your choice.