Gerald R. Sykes, who spent more than two decades serving as a pastor in Opelika, died Nov. 28. He was 84. Sykes spent 24 of his 49 years in ministry at Opelika’s Airview Baptist Church and Central Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary; daughters, Brenda and Juanita; two grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.