Mary Alexis Price of Bessemer Academy is presented the Maxine Sykes Vocational Education Scholarship by Jason Jewell recently.
Bessemer, Alabama: Each year since 2015, Bob Sykes Bar B Q Restaurant honors a graduating senior at Bessemer Academy School with the Maxine Sykes Vocational Education Scholarship, presented in memory of first-generation Bob Sykes Bar B Q owner, Maxine Sykes.
Congratulations to Mary Alexis Price, the 2026 scholarship recipient, who will be attending Lawson State and working toward a degree in Sonography. She is also one of the Valedictorians at Bessemer Academy and is a wonderful young lady. Congratulations, Lexie!
The Legacy of Maxine Sykes
Maxine Sykes founded Bob Sykes Bar B Q in 1957 with her husband, Bob Sykes, while their son, Van Sykes, was just 2 years old.
After Bob Sykes suffered a stroke in 1970, Maxine took over the business. Although Bob Sykes passed away in 1992, he had not been able to work at the restaurant since his stroke. Maxine successfully operated the legendary Bob Sykes Bar B Q Restaurant for decades afterward.
Van Sykes proudly reflects on his mother’s strength and leadership:
“Mom succeeded in a man’s world. She was a tough businesswoman and was the boss lady at Bob Sykes Bar B Q.”
Maxine Sykes passed away in 2015 at the age of 93.
Continuing the Family Tradition
Today, Van Sykes, the second-generation owner and legendary pitmaster of Bob Sykes Bar B Q, continues the family tradition with the help of his nephew, Jason Jewell.
Van Sykes says:
“Cooking barbecue the way we do is hard to do; times may have changed, but nothing has changed in the way we prepare and cook barbecue over an open fire pit located in the center of the dining room for guests to watch. Thankful to have made it this far in the restaurant business. Can’t make it this far without the support of our loyal customers and dedicated, hard-working employees.”
Bob Sykes Bar B Q
1724 9th Avenue North
Bessemer, Alabama 35020
205-426-1400
