Josephine Leaptrott Sykula, 100, of Columbia, died on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Born in Savannah, GA, on December 15, 1923, she was the daughter of John Thomas Leaptrott, Sr., who was from Cedartown, GA, and Mary Eloise Sims Leaptrott, who was from Savannah, GA.

Growing up in Columbia, South Carolina, she graduated from Columbia High School, then earned an associate's degree in business. She and John Sykula met while he was stationed at Fort Jackson during World War II and married upon his return from Europe. Their marriage spanned 66 years.

Basing her life on God's Word and His promises, she found it easy to laugh and embrace life with hope. Her walk with God began when she accepted Jesus as her Savior while still in her twenties. Her children remember with warmth and a chuckle all the Bible stories she read to them. She was always quick to direct them to take any problem they had to God in prayer. She loved her friends and church family at Centennial ARP Church. Jo enjoyed gardening, playing bridge, and traveling. She was fun and fun-loving and she and "Gaga" loved to entertain their grandchildren every Friday night with stories, movies, games, and late night milkshakes.

She is survived by her son, John Perry Sykula, Jr.; daughter, Sheryl Sykula Logan (Skidmore); grandchildren, Melissa Briley, M.D. (Andrew), of Durham, NC, Jenna Garraux, Esq. (Jared), of Columbia, Skidmore Logan, III (Nicole) of Essex, Montana, Stephanie Clayton (Andrew), of Greenville, Kristen Logan, M.D. (William), of Hillsborough, North Carolina; and great grandchildren, Hudson William Garraux, River Winters Garraux, Gavin Skidmore Garraux, Juliette Berne Garraux, Lessie Ann Briley, Andrew Ellis Clayton, Jr., Vyla Eloise Clayton and Ayda Josephine Clayton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Perry Sykula, Sr.; and brothers, John Thomas Leaptrott, Jr. and Dr. Richard Benjamin Leaptrott.

The funeral service for Mrs. Sykula will be held at 11 o'clock, Friday, November 1, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, with the Rev. Erwin Threatt officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10 o'clock at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a memorial gift to Samaritan's Purse.