Marie McMurtray Sikora

Marie McMurtray Sikora, 84, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, died November 30, 2006 after a long illness. She is survived by five of her children. Mrs. Sikora was born December 31, 1921 in Silver City, Mississippi to James Allison McMurtray and Myrtle Dean Dora, the oldest of nine children. She was a graduate of Satartia High School and was also trained in nursing. Mrs. Sikora taught kindergarten in Ocean Springs, Mississippi for over 22 years, touching countless lives in the process with her warmth, encouragement and love for children. She had an enduring devotion to all things educational and was a life-long studen. She was wholly devoted to family and faith, drawing great strength from her relationship with Jesus Christ. Mrs. Sikora was married 41 years to Edward E. Sikora, originally of Chicago, Illinois. The couple was married on October 31, 1942 in Biloxi, Mississippi where Mr. Sikora was stationed in the Army Air Corp., at Keesler Field. Her husband Edward E. Sikora preceded her in death, as did sons, Wayne E. Sikora and James R. Sikora; sisters, Nell Bauman, Charlotte Byrd and brother, Benjamin P. McMurtray. She is survived by five children and their spouses: Karen and James P. Borden of Ocean Springs, Charlotte and James A. Messer of Leighton, Alabama, Ronald P. and Maureen Sikora of Houston, Texas, Thomas L. and Darryn Sikora of Portland, Oregon and Walter J. Sikora of Brandon, Mississippi. She is survived by numerous grandchildren: Constance Baker, Maxcie Sikora, M.D., James Sikora, Erica Rohrman, Tracey Speck, Roger Sikora, Blake Sikora, Laura Borden, Nicholas Sikora, Emily Sikora, Elizabeth Sikora and Rachel Sikora; as well as great-grandchildren: Joshua Paladini, Anne Paladini, Jacob Morse and Conner Rohrman. She is also survived by brothers and sisters, James O. McMurtray, Wayne A. McMurtray, Sally D'Andrea, Kathryn Thacker and AnneLee Catchot, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 3, 2006 at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 4, 2006 in the chapel of the funeral home. Burial will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park. If desired, memorials in her name may be made to the American Lung Association, American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.