Aretha
Aretha Sikes Blakewood
d. March 3, 2016
OBITUARY
RINCON: Aretha Sikes Blakewood, 83, passed peacefully March 3, 2016, tired from a 21 month fight with breast and lung cancer. Born November 12, 1932 in Evans County, Georgia to the late Lawson and Arrie Mitchell Sikes, she grew up in and around Claxton, Georgia. Aretha and H.R. Lee, also of Claxton married in 1949 and moved to Savannah in 1955. H.R. died suddenly in 1961 leaving Aretha widowed at 28 with 3 small children. Aretha was strong in her faith and sure of her salvation since the age of 13. She raised her children with God as her helper. Aretha worked many different jobs to provide for her children over the years, selling World Book Encyclopedias, M&M Supermarkets and Savannah Bank and Trust. It was at Savannah Bank she met Charles W. Blakewood, Jr.. They reconnected at a bank retiree luncheon, had a whirlwind courtship and married in 1989. While they would only be blessed with 6 years together before Chuck passed, he treated our mother like a queen and she experienced a happiness so richly deserved after years of struggle. Aretha has been an active member of the Guyton United Methodist Church since 1989 serving in numerous positions over the years, UMW member, and member of the Irene Stewart Sunday School Class. She was a member of the Rincon Red Hat Society and loved playing bingo at the Senior Center. Aretha is predeceased by her parents, husbands H.R. Lee, and Charles W. Blakewood, Jr., brother Edward Sikes, sister Althea Sikes Hay (Roy), and granddaughter Katherine Lee Brookshire.
SURVIORS: son, Kenneth R. Lee (Georgia) of Rincon, daughter Sharon Lee Brookshire (Tommy) of Richmond Hill, daughter Sheila Lee-Gaddy of Hampton, SC, and son Joseph Keith Latimer of Savannah, stepson Charles W. Blakewood, III (Darcy) of Richmond Hill. Grandchildren Alexis Mcllrath (Brian), Heather Bagby (Justin), Brad Brookshrie (Carrie), Caleb Gaddy (Nicole), Will Blakewood, Jacob Blakewood as well as the other Blakewood grandchildren, Arlene, Amanda, Chip, Emily, and Daniel. 6 great grandchildren and one on the way and two nieces.
The family would like to thank her caregivers of Hospice Savannah.
VISITATION: Sunday, March 6, 2016, 4:00-6:00 p.m., at J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home, Claxton, Georgia
FUNERAL: Monday, March 7, 2016 with visitation from 10:00-11:00 and service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Guyton United Methodist Church
BURIAL: Sikes Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Claxton, Georgia 3:00 p.m.
REMEMBRANCE: Memorials to the Katie Brookshire HALO fund at Savannah Speech and Hearing Center, 1206 E. 66th St., Savannah 31405 or Hospice Savannah, P. O. Box 13190, Savannah 31416
Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements
“Our Family Serving Your Family”
“Since 1917”
(912) 739-3338
www.nesmithfuneralhome.com
RINCON: Aretha Sikes Blakewood, 83, passed peacefully March 3, 2016, tired from a 21 month fight with breast and lung cancer. Born November 12, 1932 in Evans County, Georgia to the late Lawson and Arrie Mitchell Sikes, she grew up in and around Claxton, Georgia. Aretha and H.R. Lee, also of Claxton married in 1949 and moved to Savannah in 1955. H.R. died suddenly in 1961 leaving Aretha widowed at 28 with 3 small children. Aretha was strong in her faith and sure of her salvation since the age of 13. She raised her children with God as her helper. Aretha worked many different jobs to provide for her children over the years, selling World Book Encyclopedias, M&M Supermarkets and Savannah Bank and Trust. It was at Savannah Bank she met Charles W. Blakewood, Jr.. They reconnected at a bank retiree luncheon, had a whirlwind courtship and married in 1989. While they would only be blessed with 6 years together before Chuck passed, he treated our mother like a queen and she experienced a happiness so richly deserved after years of struggle. Aretha has been an active member of the Guyton United Methodist Church since 1989 serving in numerous positions over the years, UMW member, and member of the Irene Stewart Sunday School Class. She was a member of the Rincon Red Hat Society and loved playing bingo at the Senior Center. Aretha is predeceased by her parents, husbands H.R. Lee, and Charles W. Blakewood, Jr., brother Edward Sikes, sister Althea Sikes Hay (Roy), and granddaughter Katherine Lee Brookshire.
SURVIORS: son, Kenneth R. Lee (Georgia) of Rincon, daughter Sharon Lee Brookshire (Tommy) of Richmond Hill, daughter Sheila Lee-Gaddy of Hampton, SC, and son Joseph Keith Latimer of Savannah, stepson Charles W. Blakewood, III (Darcy) of Richmond Hill. Grandchildren Alexis Mcllrath (Brian), Heather Bagby (Justin), Brad Brookshrie (Carrie), Caleb Gaddy (Nicole), Will Blakewood, Jacob Blakewood as well as the other Blakewood grandchildren, Arlene, Amanda, Chip, Emily, and Daniel. 6 great grandchildren and one on the way and two nieces.
The family would like to thank her caregivers of Hospice Savannah.
VISITATION: Sunday, March 6, 2016, 4:00-6:00 p.m., at J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home, Claxton, Georgia
FUNERAL: Monday, March 7, 2016 with visitation from 10:00-11:00 and service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Guyton United Methodist Church
BURIAL: Sikes Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Claxton, Georgia 3:00 p.m.
REMEMBRANCE: Memorials to the Katie Brookshire HALO fund at Savannah Speech and Hearing Center, 1206 E. 66th St., Savannah 31405 or Hospice Savannah, P. O. Box 13190, Savannah 31416
Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements
“Our Family Serving Your Family”
“Since 1917”
(912) 739-3338
www.nesmithfuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Aretha Sikes Blakewood, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday, March 6, 2016
4:00 - 6:00 pm (Eastern time)
J Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home
Service
Monday, March 7, 2016
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Guyton United Methodist Church
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