Martha Jo Smith Obituary

Martha Jo Sikes Smith, 85, of Bonifay died Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at her residence in the Bethlehem Community of Holmes County, Florida. 

Jo was born April 1, 1939, in Holmes County to A. V. "Dock" Carroll and Patricia Dixon Carroll. She was a proud graduate of Bethlehem High School class of 1957. Jo went on to obtain her nursing credentials from the Washington-Holmes Vocational School of Nursing. Her professional journey began at Campbellton-Graceville Hospital, where she diligently served as a licensed practical nurse for 15 years. Following this, Jo dedicated 20 years of her career to the State of Florida, Department of Corrections Medical Service. She also served the church, both locally and in South America. After her retirement from the Department of Corrections, Jo's compassionate spirit never wavered; she continued to be a caregiver to many in need, embodying her vocation long after her formal career had concluded.

Jo was a lifelong member of Union Hill Baptist Church, where she spent over half her life serving as the Director of Music. Her commitment to her faith was profound, and she lived her life with a steadfast devotion to Christ. She was active in her community, being a member of Carmel's Redhats and regularly attending their Cornerstone meetings for the past fourteen years. Jo’s faithfulness and devotion to the Lord showed in her sweet disposition, warm personality and genuine kindness. She never met a stranger and enjoyed making friends anywhere she went. Out of all her accomplishments in life, her greatest joy, other than serving her Lord and Savior, was being a wife, mother, grandmother “JoJo”, sister, aunt, and friend to her dear family.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Bobby Sikes; parents, Dock and Patricia Dixon Carroll; brother, Charles C. Carroll; sister, Eleanor Carroll Taylor.

Jo is survived by her husband, Leon C. Smith; son, Chris Sikes, wife, Tracie of Marianna; daughters, Gina Sikes Hamm of Auburn AL, Karen Smith Johnson, husband, Bobby of Bonifay, Cindy Smith Kolb, husband, Mark of Ft. Walton Beach; grandsons, Trae Hamm, wife, Christie, Jordan Sikes, wife, Claresa, Jonathan Sikes, wife, Lyndsey, Daniel Kolb and Matt Kolb; granddaughters, Morgan Johnson, Lauren Johnson Sikes, husband, Dustin; great-grandsons, Archer Hamm, Zander Sikes, Liam Sikes and Dustin Dakota Sikes, Jr. great-granddaughters, Anna Hamm and Hazel Sikes; sisters, Alice Carroll Miller of Bonifay & Brenda Vickery, husband, Bill, of Sneads; special cousin and caregiver, Grace Freer; her mother-in-law, Thelma Sikes Brown of El Paso, TX; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be at 10 AM, Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Carmel Assembly of God Church with Reverends Jerry Moore, Jonathan West, Tommy Moore, and Lavon Pettis officiating. Interment will follow in Union Hill Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel of Marianna directing. 

The family will receive friends from 5-6:30 PM Monday, October 28, 2024, at Carmel Assembly of God, 1485 Carmel Church Rd., Bonifay.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her memory may be made to the Florida Baptist Children's Home, mailing address: P.O. Box 8190, Lakeland, FL 33802 (www.fbchomes.org (http://www.fbchomes.org/)) or, Convoy of Hope, mailing address: P.O. Box 1125, Springfield, MO 65801 (www.convoyofhope.org (http://www.convoyofhope.org/)).

Special thanks to Drs. Steven Spence and Richard Christopher; Vitas Hospice; Stethoscope Staffing and In-Home Care; Jackson Hospital nurses, caregivers and staff, we appreciate the loving care you all gave her and our family!