Tracy was born November 22, 1967, at 1009 Peerless. She was raised by Mary and Woodie Lykes.
Tracy attended elementary school at St. Mary’s and High school at St. Vincent St. Mary’s schools, going on to graduate from Butchel high school. She graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelors degree in Communications and an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, where she had a passion for reaching out to youth.
During Tracy’s life she was very active in Emmett Ross’s family Bail Bonding business, which later would cause her to continue his legacy starting her own bail bonding agency, Tracy Lykes Surety Bail Bonds, which she managed for over 25 years. She was a licensed insurance agent in property & causality for Southern Western Insurance Company and, life, and health for MetLife. She was a second mother to numerous children as she owned two in home day cares, The Mary’s House and Safe-Place-To-Play, where she was able to show various children love, respect, and guidance. She took that same love and care and shared it with the children of Akron Public schools where she educated for over 20 years, her favorite schools being Crouse and I Promise.
Mary instilled the importance of education and church. Tracy followed that guidance through her life. Tracy accepted Christ at an early age. She grew up attending Mount Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of the late great Rev. Dr. Luther Cooper. Tracy was instrumental in incorporating church into her daycare. She loved praise and worship and formed a youth choir that she had performing at different churches.
Tracy loved comedy, loved to laugh and lived life to the fullest. She was a busy body, if she wasn’t going somewhere, she was coming from somewhere. She loved to decorate and you would often find her studying HGTV. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Tracy was always one call away, whether it be 2 p.m. or 3 a.m. she was always down for a talk. If you ever traveled with her you know she was bound to meet someone she knew. Tracy would give you her last if you needed it. She always said, “God will take care of me,” and He did.
As a mother God blessed her with three beautiful children, Emily, Woodie, and Marion. Tracy’s life was well lived and full of love. Tracy will be missed by all who loved her. Therefore, we celebrate this day in remembrance of her. She was our mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, grandmother, and friend.
Tracy is preceded in death by her grandparents; Mary and Woodie Lykes, Rosemary Lykes; cousin, Blanche and her road dog, Babs.
Tracy’s memory will be cherished by Caraland Lykes; children, Emily Talley-Wolfe, Woodie Talley, and her favorite son, Marion Talley; grandchildren, Lyla Talley, Livia Talley, Romello Talley and Evie Talley-Wolfe to continue her legacy, walking in her footsteps.