Obituaries: Dennis E. Sikes, 1980, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: December 31, 1980 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American

Former Superintendent of Schools Dies

Dennis E. Sikes, the eighth Superintendent of the Winn Parish School System,
died in the Winnfield General Hospital on December 24, 1980 after a lengthy
illness.  He was born February 22, 1893 near Gaars Mill, Louisiana to James
Redden Sikes and Carolyn Underwood Sikes.

This noted educator and leader received a Bachelor of Science degree from
Northwestern and a Master of Science degree from Louisiana State University. 
In 1913 he began his teaching career in one room schools of Winn Parish. 
World War I interrupted his professional activities.  He joined the armed
forces and was on active duty for two years in the States and in France. 
After his return, he became principal of Gaars Mill High School.

In 1926 the Winn Parish School Board elected him to the high office of
Superintendent of Winn Parish Schools and he directed the educational and
supervisory activities of the parish until 1941.  An extensive building
program took place.  Schools were consolidated, a system of transportation for
the parish was developed, and a parish-wide supervisory program was
inaugurated.  Plans were made for construction of new buildings at Dodson and
in Winnfield and other improvement expenditures for the parish.

Later he served as a Winn Parish School Board member for four years, was
principal of Jonesville High School, Starks High School, and Columbia High
School.  Upon his retirement in 1953 from Columbia High School, he was
eulogized by a statement which speaks for his entire life, "Well done, you
have served well, and your work has borne and will continue to bear good
fruit."

D. E. Sikes was an active member of the Winnfield First Baptist Church where 
he was a deacon for more than forty years.  He helped organize the
Brotherhood, taught Sunday School class, and was Superintendent of numerous
Sunday School departments.  He was a former member of the Masonic Lodge,
American Legion, Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, and local, state, and national
professional associations.

Funeral services for this civic, religious and educational leader were held at
the Winnfield First Baptist Church on Friday, December 26, 1980 at 2 p.m. with
Dr. Calvin Phelps, pastor, officiating.  Burial was in the Garden of Memories
Cemetery under direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Pallbearers
were Ed Grigg, O. T. White, C. E. Sherwood, W. L. Sowers, Fletcher Melton, and
Richmond Gunter.

Survivors include his wife, Myrdis Dark Sikes; a daughter, Mrs. Maxine Sikes
Scaccia of Metairie; two sons, Jehu Sikes of Kansas City, Kansas, and Gary
Sikes of Baton Rouge; five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and a
sister, Mrs. James E. Dark of Winnfield.