Obituary for Connie Claudette Sikes

Connie Claudette Sikes

September 10, 1933 — March 16, 2019

Funeral Services to honor and celebrate the life of Connie Claudette Sikes were held March 25, 2019 at the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Mill Creek, OK.

Connie Claudette Sikes passed from this life on March 16, 2019 at the age of 85 in Edmond, Oklahoma. Connie was born on September 10, 1933, in Ravia, OK, to Claud and Cora (Gattis) Sharp. She spent her years working as a secretary for the school system until her retirement but her biggest job was raising three children.

Connie graduated from Ravia High School in 1951 and married the love of her life J. Felix Sikes in Vallejo, California on October 17, 1951. During the early years of their marriage Connie and Felix lived at several military bases and in October 1953 they welcomed their first child Lisa, while Felix was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. During his time in Okinawa, Connie moved back to Johnston County, Oklahoma. Upon Felix’s return, they bought a home and moved to Tulsa. It was during this time that Lisa, their first-born daughter, became ill and passed away. In 1959, they moved to Fairfax, Oklahoma and lived there until 1990.

Connie worked in many capacities for the Fairfax School system, retiring there as the school secretary. She took great pride in raising her children, serving as Cub Scout leader, Girl Scout leader and parent chaperone for many school field trips. She especially loved watching her children participate in band and sports, being an avid Fairfax Red Devil fan and faithfully sporting her red and white every Friday.

Connie was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. Her endless devotion to her church was felt by many. She was member of the First United Methodist Church in Fairfax for 31 years, until moving membership to Mill Creek and remaining there until she moved to Edmond, Oklahoma in 2016. She never failed to serve her church. She was a member of the United Methodist Women for many years. She helped with vacation Bible schools, youth activities, and taught Sunday school classes. However, her beautiful soprano voice led her to church choirs and then the role as song leader while she was in Mill Creek. There was never a song far from Connie’s lips. She joked that she could come up with a song from anything someone said. As a result, her family enjoyed a lot of singing, especially old Methodist hymns. Some of her grandkids’ fondest memories include her songs. She took them on “Bear Hunts,” loved them “A Bushel and a Peck,” told them how “Froggie Went a Courtin,” and let them know how to “Swing on a Star.”

They also remember the many walks to the bridge to throw rocks in the creek, with an unlimited supply of ice cream sandwiches upon their return and she made the best homemade dill pickles anyone ever ate. Connie loved sewing, crocheting and quilting. Her church benefited from her talent as she made many altar cloths. She also made choir robes for the youth. All of her grandbabies received a crocheted baby blanket or a hand stitched quilt. Many evenings, Connie could be seen watching TV while crocheting or hand quilting her projects. Cancer patients received her crocheted caps for years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Claud and Cora Sharp, husband J. Felix Sikes, and a daughter Connie Felecia (Lisa) Sikes. Those she leaves to cherish her memories are three children John Sikes and Tamara of Mill Creek, Oklahoma, Don Sikes and Sondi of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Laurie Sikes Murphy and Francis, of Shidler, Oklahoma; 13 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.

Connie provided her children, grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends with many wonderful memories. The countless family gatherings in Mill Creek on Jewel Sikes Road will never be forgotten. She lived her beliefs and served others, being a quiet leader and always practicing her faith. During her time in Mill Creek, she was an active volunteer and member of the senior citizens and loved spending her time there each week for meals.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mill Creek Senior Citizens Center 105 East Main Street, Mill Creek, OK 74856.