Ella Justina Young Sikes died Tuesday July 20, 2021, at her residence at Anthem Lakes Assisted Living Facility with Community Hospice providing excellent medical care. She was 92. She was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Justina was the youngest of four children. She graduated from Landon High School Class of 48. Justina was a Lionette Cheerleader and her sweetheart Walter Sikes played for the Landon High School Football Team. She was also a former Florida President of The Future Home Makers of America Club. Justina and Walter were married on August 25, 1948. They were married for 69 ½  years. Together they could tell stories and bring laughter and joy to all. Even after she became a widow 2 ½ years ago, she still had a great sense of humor and was loved by many at Anthem Lakes.

Justina was supportive of her husband as he started in the Florida Army National Guard in May of 1948 and was trained as a helicopter and fixed-winged pilot. He ascended the ranks from recruit to Lt. Colonel. Family life changed once Walter became an air traffic controller in 1959 for the FAA, because there were times that "Shh...Dad is asleep," because he worked in the JIA tower at night. They built their first house in Jacksonville, then moved to Hilliard, then on back to Jacksonville. Then they promotion to Key West and another promotion to Pensacola until his retirement in 1984.

Justina and her husband traveled extensively to every continental state of the USA and Canada by motorhome and were members of the Sun Wheelers based in Jacksonville. Her husband served as past president of the Sun Wheelers. The two also traveled to Europe and South America.

They both loved fishing offshore and fresh water. They were members of the Jacksonville Offshore Sports Fishing Club. They loved dancing and having fun with their friends. In their later years, they enjoyed time on the water on their pontoon boat.

Justina was a devout Christian and a 50-year member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church on University Boulevard. She and her husband later joined Resurrection Episcopal Church on Fort Caroline Road, where they enjoyed friends and fellowship. Justina was proud of being a descendent of an American Revolutionary Soldier and has been a member of the Jean Ribault Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution since February 8, 1992.

She was preceded in death by husband, Walter D. Sikes Sr., her son W. David Sikes DC, her parents James P. Young and Ella Daniel Young  and her sister (who died at birth), her brothers George M Young, DVM. and "Jack" Young, DVM.

She is survived by her daughter in law (Janine) of Gainesville; daughters Dayle Triay (Howard) and Dana Merritt (Bill Choisser) of Jacksonville; son Dan Sikes (Paulette) of Starke; six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and scores of nieces, nephews, and lots of kissin' cousins.

Funeral Service will be Friday July 23, 2021, at 12:00 Noon at Resurrection Episcopal Church 12355 Fort Caroline Rd. Jacksonville, FL.  Reception to follow the church service. Then the burial will be (for family only) at Arlington Park Cemetery at 2:00 PM.