Blanche Theresa (Gasper) Sikes

Glennville

Blanche Sikes passed away Sunday afternoon November 25, 2018, at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Savannah after a short illness. She was born in Chicago, IL, on April 24, 1924, to Mildred and Eugene Gasper. Each time Blanche gave her date of birth (always without the year) she was quick to relay that her mother always said she was actually born on the 25th, not the 24th, the doctor just wrote it down wrong. So, at her request, we always celebrated her birthday on the 25th! She was Baptized at The Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant Church in Chicago. After graduation from Fenger Academy High School in Chicago, Blanche attended business school and then traveled, living in Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Arizona, before settling here in Glennville. In the mid 1950's, Blanche's family was traveling through Glennville and noticed the Tropical Motel on U.S. 301 was for sale. They purchased the Tropical Motel and made Glennville their home. Soon after their arrival in Georgia, Blanche married Foster Sikes, and the family purchased another motel in Ludowici. In years to come Blanche owned and managed the hotels. In recent years, her extended family needed a calendar to keep up with Blanche!  An average week included many hours on the phone with friends, Tuesday mornings at a fiercely competitive bingo game with the group downtown, Thursday morning hair styling at Jessica's Chop Shop, and Sunday mornings at the First Baptist Church for Sunday School and worship. She always enjoyed the fellowship at Keenagers gatherings at her church. There were manicures to be seen about and weekly shopping at the local grocery market. This time at the market would sometimes last three hours as there were friends to visit and prices to check and double check. An insatiable reader, Blanche consumed literature like her favorite second helping of dressing at Thanksgiving. Magazines and newspapers were daily read front to back  pausing only long enough to clip out a bit of information of which  she knew someone must be informed of... often her family next door.  We will miss her calls and visits. Many in her circle have described Blanche as their best friend, and a best friend she was--brave and steady; funny and truthful.  She kept us on our toes, always informing us of the latest news from Glennville and Savannah to Chicago, telling us to grow up when we felt bogged-down and having us doubled over in laughter with her stories and no-nonsense humor. Her laughter and smile will long be remembered and impressed in our hearts. Blanche was especially adored by her two grandsons, Matt and Adam Woodcock who grew up living next door to their grandmother. They tell childhood stories of regular shopping trips to Savannah with their Mom and "Granny," nights spent at Granny's house, and delicious French toast breakfasts. Their close relationship continued into adulthood with regular phone conversations and lengthy visits in her living room. In death, we often say we have lost someone, but the truth is,  there's no one lost here. We know where Blanche Sikes is and we are thankful we'll be reunited with her one day in the Lord. She was preceded in death by her mother Mildred Gasper Johnson, father Eugene Gasper, step father Melbourne Johnson, husband Foster Sikes, brother Bill Johnson, and son-in-law Michael Lee Woodcock.

Left to cherish precious memories of their time together are  her daughter Deneb "Debbie" Sikes Woodcock Causey (Jim) of Glennville, grandchildren Matthew Woodcock (Mattye) of Birmingham, AL, Adam Woodcock (Amy) of Matthews, NC, and step grandchildren Charissa Raynor of Seattle WA, Annie Erin Causey of Manhattan, NY, and Josie Barnes (Justin) of Greensboro, NC. Great grandchildren Fox Woodcock, Mae Woodcock, Ben Woodcock, Ellee Woodcock, Savannah Barnes, Emma Barnes, and Olivia Barnes. And her beloved cousin Gary Johnson (Cathy) Midlothian, IL.

A Celebration of Life service for Blanche Sikes will be held Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at Glennville Funeral Home on West Barnard Street in Glennville. Visitation will be at 1:00 PM with service at 2:00 PM with the Reverend Tommy Jordan and Reverend Mike Howard officiating.

Glennville Funeral Home is serving the family of Ms. Blanche Sikes.