Another Class Member Has Died

An email this morning began to spread the word that Mary Comeria Whittle (Sikes)has died. Carol Lamb Thurman had received word in Kansas from Merle Wright Dansby in South Carolina. Later emails from both Don Starnes and Caroline Leroy Ayers wanted class members to know of her passing. A morning of concern, memories, friendships. It seems we were together just yesterday. It does not feel like fifty years.

Carol wrote: I met Comeria in the eighth grade at Tubman, and we were friends from then on. She and I roomed together at UGA. I last talked with her in October before the decade reunion. I hope Comeria can be remembered along with our other classmates who have passed. . . .

Caroline's note had this message: Comeria and I met when we were in junior high and both volunteered at the downtown branch of the Augusta Library. Since she went to Tubman and I went to Langford and we went to different grammar schools, I may never have known her otherwise. She was a good friend and blessing to all who knew her. I haven't seen her in years, but I will always remember her as a thoughtful and caring person. I'm sure she will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Under her picture in the annual was this quote, "'Tis said, her presence would make an undertakers' conference entertaining," so I particularly loved that she was still "known for the witty and inspirational handwritten notes . . . ." Oh, the smiles she has left.

(Mary) Comeria's obituary is below, but

Mary Comeria Sikes (1941 - 2009)

Mary Comeria Sikes, 67, passed away at her home Sunday, April 19, 2009, as a result of kidney failure.
Funeral: 10 a.m. Thursday in Laurel Land Memorial Chapel. Interment: Laurel Land Memorial Park of Fort Worth. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Mary was born in Augusta, Ga., on Dec. 27, 1941, to Benjamin Howard and Annie Lee Whittle. After graduating from the University of Georgia, she taught school in Augusta and Smyrna, Ga. She married her high school sweetheart, Lee, on Aug. 8, 1964, in Augusta. After living in several locations in the country, they settled in Fort Worth in 1982. She worked at the Fort Worth Public Library from 1984 to 1990. Mary was a member of Hillside Memorial Christian Church and was active in the Christian Women's Fellowship. Mary was known for the witty and inspirational handwritten notes she sent to the shut-ins as well as to the church members serving in the military overseas.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her older brother, Dr. Michael Howard Whittle of Moultrie, Ga.
Survivors: Husband of 44 years, Lee Sikes; children, Leigh Ann Morrison, Benjamin Sikes and wife, Brooke, and Andrea Robia and husband, Michael; grandchildren, Erika Wikoff, Olivia Sikes, William Robia and Matthew Robia; sister, Linda Johnson and husband, Gen. H.T. Johnson; and sisters-in-law, Janet M. Whittle and Beverly S. Fester.

Published in Star-Telegram on 4/21/2009

There is a link to the obituary here where you may leave a message to the family.