OBITUARY: Weaver Jo Tenpenny Sikes

Weaver Jo Tenpenny Sikes passed away peacefully in her home in Readyville, Tennessee, on December 9, 2017, at the age of 87. Mrs. Sikes was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Sikes, and parents, Elvis and Sudie Tenpenny. She is survived by her sister, Mrs. Henrietta Barker of Readyville; children, Geoffrey (Joanna) Sikes of Clarksville, Paula (Ronnie) Rummage, of Nashville, Sarah (Mike) Hooten of Jackson, MS., Nathan (Wendy) Sikes of Birmingham, AL.; six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and three nephews.

Mrs. Sikes was born on October 6, 1930, in Woodbury, Tennessee. She graduated from Woodbury High School and went to David Lipscomb College. She graduated in 1952 with a degree in English and went on to Vanderbilt to get a Master's Degree in English. She married Paul Sikes, from Birmingham, Alabama, in 1953. After moving to North Carolina, she supported her husband as a minister's wife, teaching school and earning a second Master's Degree in Library Science. The couple welcomed four children into their home, and then she went back to school to become a Registered Nurse after they moved to Birmingham. She worked at the University of Alabama - Birmingham Hospital in the Cardiac Neonatal Unit for 20 years. After retiring, she returned home to the Woodbury area. She was a member of the New Hope Church of Christ, where she taught the Ladies Bible class for many years.

She had a lifelong passion for reading and learning and was especially knowledgeable in the Scriptures. She was the valedictorian of every class from which she graduated. She had an extensive library and was the family Scrabble and Jeopardy! champion. She was adventurous and always willing to try new things. She loved playing games, going to the movies, and watching her favorite show, Blue Bloods.

The funeral service will be held at Woodbury Funeral Home with visitation on Monday, December 11, from 4 - 8 PM and on Tuesday from 9 - 11 AM, followed by the service at 11:00 AM. Geoffrey Sikes and Nathan Sikes will officiate the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Por Los Ninos (P.O. Box 78782, Nashville, TN 37207) or Healing Hands International (455 McNally Dr., Nashville, TN 37211). The family would like to thank her devoted caregivers for their loving care during her recent illness.

Pallbearers include Paul Sikes, John Hooten, Jim Hooten, Ryan Rummage, Seth Neller, James Barker, Zach Barker and Steven Barker. Honorary Pall Bearers are New Hope Church of Christ Elders and Deacons and "Mrs. Weaver's" wonderful caregivers Darla Cunningham, Jenny Gould, Allison Jones, Susan House, Tammy Ivie, Carrie Smith, Reba Prater and Addison Knox.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or www.woodburyfuneralhome.net