Dale Sikes

Willard “Dale” Sikes, of Cobbtown, passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in Vidalia, Georgia.

Dale was born in Metter on January 19, 1953, and was a son of Willard Mann Sikes and Frances Cardell Sikes of Cobbtown. A devoted servant of the Lord, loving family man, and lifelong farmer, Dale passed away leaving behind a legacy of hard work, faith, and quiet dedication to his community.

Born and raised on his family’s farm, Dale learned early the value of hard work, perseverance, and stewardship of the land. The lessons he gained in those formative years shaped the man he would become—steady, dependable, and deeply committed to any task set before him. He graduated from Reidsville High School in 1971, carrying with him both the education and work ethic that would guide him throughout his life.

Dale began his professional career with the Georgia Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer in 1978. Though he served diligently in that role, his heart never strayed far from the fields. In time, he was able to combine his career with his lifelong passion for agriculture, ultimately retiring as Statewide Farm Advisor with the Georgia Department of Corrections in 2003. In that position, he found great fulfillment working the land and mentoring others, embodying the values he had learned as a young boy.

Retirement did not slow Dale down. He continued farming and could often be found tending his beloved pecan trees, nurturing them every step of the way. The soil was more than his livelihood—it was part of who he was.

Yet as much as Dale loved farming, nothing brought him greater joy later in life than serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A faithful member and Deacon of Cobbtown Baptist Church, Dale was devoted to his calling. He was often found at church, quietly making needed renovations and repairs to God’s house. Whether fixing, painting, or maintaining, he gave his time and talents selflessly, serving with humility and love. His faith was not only something he professed—it was something he lived daily through action and service.

Dale will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his servant’s heart, and his unwavering faith. His life stands as a testament to the values of hard work, dedication, and devotion to God and community. He leaves behind a legacy rooted deeply in faith, family, and the land he so dearly loved.

Survivors include his two sons, Shane Sikes of Reidsville and Shawn Sikes and his wife, Debbie, of Cobbtown; his granddaughter, Aubrey Sikes of Cobbtown; two brothers, Donald Sikes and his wife, Amy, and Dewayne Sikes and his wife, Beth; a sister, Donna Baggett and her husband, Randall; several nieces and nephews; and his faithful companion Charlott L Toole.

Visitation will be held Monday, February 23, 2026, from 6 until 8 o’clock in the evening at Cobbtown Baptist Church.

The funeral will be held 11 o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Cobbtown Baptist Church.

Interment will be in Sunlight Cemetery.

Guestbook: www.kennedyfuneralhomechapels.com

The family floral arrangements were made by Melanie Anderson and she can be contacted at 912-536-3140.

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Cobbtown Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.