A City of Marion councilwoman and mayoral candidate in the upcoming general election was reportedly found dead at her home Wednesday night. 75-year old Phyllis Sykes was found dead in her pool behind her home, according to The Crittenden Press.
The newspaper reports Sykes is a retired teacher who has served on the city council since first being elected in 2016 and currently serves as mayor pro tem.
The article says she was also active in a number of community organizations and just within the last few days she had been tasked along with a few others with spearheading an effort to organize more volunteers for the bottled water distribution center at the former armory.
Marion Mayor Jared Byford told the newspaper he is heartbroken and deeply saddened to hear of Sykes passing. He noted that after a lifetime of public service she continued to serve the community in a multitude of matters. He added that Sykes passing will be felt by the loss of her wonderful personality and devotion.
In light of Sykes passing, Marion City Council has canceled Thursday evening’s scheduled water update meeting at city hall.
Crittenden County Coroner Brad Gilbert said an autopsy will be performed on the body to determine Sykes’s cause of death, but no foul play is suspected.
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