HELEN CELENE LEBO SIKES, age 97 of Murfreesboro, TN, passed away on Monday February 8, 2010 at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro, TN. She was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin Hord Sikes, Sr. who passed away on October 31, 1997 and her daughter Helen Celene Karnes who passed away on July 27, 1988. Mr. and Mrs. Sikes were married on June 12, 1938. Mrs. Sikes was also preceded in death by her brothers, Easton, Lauchlan, and William Lebo. Mrs. Sikes was born on April 30, 1912 in Cairo, IL to her parents Edward John and Helen Sproat Lebo. She was raised in Tiptonville, TN and for two years attended Tennessee College for Women in Murfreesboro, TN. She taught in a one room school house, grades one through twelve for a brief period of time. In addition to duties as a full time homemaker for her family, that included five children, Mrs. Sikes assisted her husband in his home improvement business and later a maps sales business. She loved involvement in antiques that led to operating a business in a Murfreesboro antique mall. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Murfreesboro. Mrs. Sikes will be remembered by her children as a person who always spoke kindly of other people and put others before herself. Mrs. Sikes is survived by her children, Benjamin Hord Sikes, Jr. of Murfreesboro, TN, William H. Sikes, Sr. and his wife Eleanor of Athens, TN, Mary S. Dobbs and her husband Ron of Loudon, TN, Frances S. Pierce and her husband Bob of Murfreesboro, TN. Grandchildren, Lisa Garrison of Hixson, TN; Gray Karnes and wife Angela of Soddy Daisy, TN; Beth Wiggins and husband Danny of Enterprise, AL; David Karnes and wife Denise of Soddy Daisy, TN; Rob Pierce and wife Cara, Ryan Gray of Hermitage, TN; and Stephen Pierce of Murfreesboro, TN; Mary Leigh Mayhew of Knoxville, TN and Andy Dobbs of Alcoa, TN; Bill Sikes Jr,. and wife Christie of Forsyth, MT; Ken Sikes and wife Erin of Tacoma, WA; Cindy Parker and husband Chris of Cleveland, TN;. Mrs. Sikes is also survived by 24 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Friday February 12, 2010 at Woodfin Memorial Chapel with Revs. Bill Karnes, Sr., Bill Sikes, Jr., and Ken Sikes officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Pallbearers will be J.P. Garrison, Michael Garrison, Zack Wiggins, Andy Dobbs, Rob Pierce, and Stephen Pierce. The family would like to extend its appreciation to the staffs at Boulevard Terrace Nursing Home, Middle Tennessee Medical Center (CCU & Oncology Care), and CARIS Hospice (Jennifer Chavis). Special thanks to Dr. Sally Bullock who was Mrs. Sikes personal and attending physician for many years. Memorials may be made to the Linebaugh Public Library in Murfreesboro, TN or the Billy Graham Association in memory of Mrs. Sikes. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday at WOODFIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL. 615-893-5151. www.woodfinchapel.com.