Louise G. Sikes

Mrs. Louise Grant Gardner Sikes, 97, passed away Thursday, August 4, 2016 at Brightmoor Nursing Center in Griffin. Born November 30, 1918, Louise was the daughter of Arthur Wilburn Grant and Essie Mae Jennings Grant. In addition to her parents, Louise was pre-deceased by her husband of 46 years, John Maxwell Gardner, her sister and brother-in-law Margaret G. and Arthur W. Sauley of Griffin, her brother and sister-in-law William and Leslie Pelt Grant of Tampa, Florida, her brother Clifford Grant, and her second husband, Gordon Sikes. Louise was born in Griffin and lived in Atlanta as a young child. When her family moved back to Griffin, she attended Griffin schools, including Spalding High. She married John on December 12, 1942 in Madison, Wisconsin, where he was stationed with the US Army. Following his discharge, they lived in Griffin the rest of their lives. Louise worked at the Griffin Hosiery Mill, Spalding Hosiery Mill, the LuAnn Restaurant, and at Cook’s Department Store until retirement. She and John enjoyed celebrating holidays with their family and socializing with their Friday Friends. They loved to travel, and Gatlinburg, Tennessee was their favorite place to visit. Over the years, they loved numerous animal companions – dogs, cats, and birds. Louise liked to read, dance, listen to Southern Gospel quartets, and, in her later years, paint. She enjoyed fashion and interior decorating to the end of her life. Louise was a member of Southside Baptist Church where she was active with the KIT Club until she moved to Brightmoor in December 2006. She was happy to ride in the Griffin Christmas Parade as Mrs. Brightmoor. Survivors include nieces Sandra Sauley Wheatley of Long Neck, Delaware, Wanda Sauley Fennell of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Wendy Sauley-Simmons of Griffin, and their husbands; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews; and a cousin, J.P. Jennings of Griffin. It was Louise’s wish that there be no funeral or memorial service. In lieu of flowers and to celebrate her life, memorial gifts may be made to The AMS Memorial 4-H Scholarship Fund at Spalding County 4-H, 835 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223. The family gives thanks for the staff members of Brightmoor Nursing Center who cared for Louise during the final decade of her life and for all those who visited her and brightened her days.

Louise G. Sikes

November 30, 1918 - August 4, 2016