Maurice Fikes, Red Bay, Ala., precious husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013.
The family received friends 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at Hamilton Funeral Home. His funeral will be 11 a.m. today in the chapel with Roger Wood, Robert Wood and Donnie Conn officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Gardens of Hamilton.
Maurice was born June 18, 1925, in Marion County. He graduated from Hamilton High School, attended Florence State College (UNA) and earned his BS degree from Athens State University. He was an instructor at Northwest Alabama State Technical Institute (Bevill) for 25 years and co-owner of Redmont Broadcasting (WRMG) from 1982-1998. He was a past member of the Franklin County Industrial Board, Red Bay Water and Gas Board and Hamilton Housing Authority.
After her retired from teaching, many of his students kept in touch either by telephone or personal visits. His advice and encouragement were a blessing and made a difference in many of their lives.
Maurice was a Korean War veteran with the U.S. Army. He was of the Missionary Alliance faith, and, in his early years, served in several positions at the church in Hamilton including music director, Sunday School superintendent and teacher.
Maurice loved life and always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his blue eyes. His wife of 33 years, Wauneace, was the love of his life, and they were completely devoted to one another. He will be remembered for his wit, fun loving sensibilities and out going personality. He was a hard working, honorable man who had a special love for Alabama football, Duke basketball, gospel and country music.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Louis Roy and Mary Louis (Goodson) Fikes; brothers, Floyd, Olie, Orville, Lex, Jewell and Elaine Fikes; sisters, Erin Duke, Geneva Murphee and Mary Nell Fikes.
Survivors are wife, Wauneace Sherrill Fikes, of Red Bay; daughters, Kathy Trimm, of Hamilton, Tijuana Clay (Jessie), of Hamilton, Ala.; granddaughters, Denise Jones, Donna Jones Brindley (Steve) and Ashtan Hicks; special grandson, Ferrell Trimm (Tessa); great-grandchildren, Jordan and Sydney Trimm and Bryant King; brother, Ragan Fikes (Joyce); sister, Wena Northam; sisters-in-law, Lynn Fikes, Laura Gene Fikes and Willie Fikes; brothers-in-law, Ricky Sherrill (Linda) and D.W. Franklin; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Ronnie Duke, Jeffery Fikes Jr., John Fikes, Rodney Green, Gary Page and Ferrell Trimm.
Honorary pallbearers will be J.M. Page, Frank Inman and all of Maurice’s Korean War buddies present.
We are so blessed to have shared our lives with a treasure-a man of dignity and class! You will live in our hearts forever.
