Virginia Maxine Sikes

Mrs. Maxine Jones Sikes, 99, a resident of Luverne, Alabama, passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, February 14th, 2023. A graveside service for Maxine will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, February 16th, in Luverne Emmaus Cemetery with Rev. Bobby Weeks officiating and Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM.

Once you met Maxine, it was nearly guaranteed you weren't likely to forget her! She was a strong-willed and fiercely independent woman who knew her own mind and achieved whatever she set her mind to doing. Probably no other word could better describe her temperament than feisty! She was a true firecracker when it came to her personality and those who knew her well loved her for it. As a true Southern lady, however, you were never going to catch her looking less than her best when she left the house. She definitely showed up her Sunday best every time she arrived to worship with her church family at Glenwood United Methodist Church, where she also stayed actively involved in so many endeavors.

While Maxine graduated from business school after high school, but there was nothing she loved more than creating a wonderful home for her family throughout the years. There were few things she enjoyed more than spending time in the beauty of nature, whether it was tending to her beloved garden or just basking in that beauty while spending a peaceful afternoon on her patio. She was also blessed with an extremely creative side to her personality, especially when it came to her sewing. She put her remarkable skills to fashioning lasting family heirlooms not the least of which was her daughter Carol's wedding dress and the family christening gown. Above all, she cherished her role as the matriarch of her family. Naturally, she loved her children, but there's just something special about that relationship with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Maybe because she got to enjoy all of the fun without handling any of the discipline! Maxine was fortunate to be such a presence in the three generations she leaves behind to cherish her legacy as they will cherish all of those wonderful memories they made together.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Sikes Sr; parents, Columbus Grady & Addie Smith Jones; and sisters, Juanita Wiley, Opal Daniel, and Mary Jo Porch. She is survived by her children, Carol Stuart, Carl Sikes, and Nancy (Chuck) Townsend; grandchildren, William (Katie) Stuart, Andrew (Alyson) Stuart, and Hannah (Jake) Brandenburg; and great-grandchildren, Emily Stuart, Alex Stuart, Claira Stuart, Walt Stuart, Luke Stuart, and one more on the way.

Active pallbearers will be William Stuart, Andrew Stuart, Jake Brandenburg, Ken Williams, Hal Williams, and Jeffrey Blackmon.