Our Staff

Scott Sykes has been a funeral director and embalmer for over 30 years and proudly serves as Vice President of Garrett-Sykes and Letchworth-Sykes Funeral Service, Joseph B. Paul, Jr. Funeral Service and Washington Funeral & Cremation.

He is the son of the late Faris and Emma Ruth Sykes of Enfield, North Carolina. After graduating from Enfield Academy in 1983, he attended Chowan College in Murfreesboro before deciding to follow in his father’s footsteps. Scott completed his funeral service education in 1985 at Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, Georgia.

Scott and his wife, Sarah were married in 1989. He is the father of two happily married children and the granddaddy to two very special grandchildren.

Joe is the son of the late J. Bonner Paul and Marjorie “Albritton” Paul. He has two sons; Joshua B. Paul and Bryan C. Harris. Joe brings 45 years of tradition, experience and knowledge in the funeral profession with him. He is a third generation Funeral Director and completely understands the need for affordable and professional funeral services. Joe is a graduate of Washington High School and later attended Beaufort Community College. As a native of Washington, he has been involved in the community and coached both baseball and basketball in youth and adult leagues for over 30 years with the Washington Recreation Department. He was a certified coach through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association, a past Secretary of the Bunyan Ruritan Club and a member of the First Christian Church. Joe has been honored to serve hundreds of families in and around Beaufort County throughout his career.

Josh has grown up in the funeral profession as it dates back generations in his family. He is currently serving as a funeral director apprentice.

Josh is driven by curiosity and consumed with culture, food and people-watching. His happy place is a newly stamped passport, a full tank of gas, or even his sea-kayak. Give him the open road or open water and he is content; anything to propel him forward with whispers of a new adventure.

Dennis is a 1986 Honor graduate of Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service. He is a Funeral Service licensee in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of North Carolina.

He has lived in Ahoskie for the past 22 years and is the proud father of his daughter Jesse and grandsons Noah and Kain who live in Danville VA.

Dennis spends his time taking care of his neighbors and their laws and his four fur babies Buster, Sammy, Butch, and Oreo.

Jay is the son of Jack Arliss Mason and Barbara Brinn Mason. He is married to Michelle Everett Mason and has two sons and a daughter in law, Ryan Scott Mason and his wife Stephanie Williams Mason and Colby Perrion Mason. Jay has been helping Joe for the past 15 years. He is President of Mason's Computer Repair & Web Design, Inc. He brings with him 14 years of experience in the computer and web design business. He is also a member of the St. Clair's Church of Christ. Jay has also coached high school football for the past 13 years for Northside High School.

Sandy was born in Lenoir County to the late Jesse Blizzard and mother Frances Blizzard who still resides there.

He attended South Lenoir High School in Deep Run, North Carolina before moving to Beaufort County as a Manager of Endicott Johnson's Shoe Store.

Sandy spent most of his professional career working at the Washington Police Department where he obtained the rank of Major and Deputy Chief of Police before retiring in 2012 after serving the Washington Community for 29 years.

He has been married to Velvet Hodges Blizzard of Chocowinity for the past 35 years. He has two daughters Ashley Kennedy and Chrisy Ronan; as well as 5 grandchildren.

He has been employed part-time at Joseph B. Paul Jr. Funeral Services and Washington Cremations since August 2021.

Queen is a native of Beaufort County and resides in Washington. She is the daughter of the late Mollie and Tom Windley of Pinetown. Queen is a member of Mt. Zion FWB Church in the Yeatesville Community, Pinetown and serves as secretary. She graduated from Beaufort County High School in Pantego in May 1965. She attended Beaufort Community College from 1986-1989 and received a Diploma in Business Computer Application and AAS Degree in Businesss Administration. In 1991, she received a Bachelor degree in Business Administration and Management from Elizabeth City University.  She has three children, Stevie Windley of Raleigh, Vanessa Windley of NY and Wanda W. Smith of Washington. She has 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She loves working with youth as well as the elderly. She actively serves on many boards: Eagles Wings, Pamlico Legal Services of New Bern, and Jeptha Chapter #1 OES, PHA of Washington.