Martha Cecelia (Jenkins) Bright

Martha Cecelia Bright, age 73 of White Settlement, gained her angel wings on March 7, 2019 surrounded by her loving daughters. The Memorial Service will be held at 10:15 A.M., Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Lena Pope/Marty Leonard Chapel in Ft. Worth. Services will be officiated by Pastor Archie Griffith.

Martha Cecelia Bright was born on February 17, 1946 in Lafayette, Louisiana to John L. and Cecelia Cleon Jenkins. She was the 2nd daughter born after Pamela, followed by 2 sisters, Phyllis and Janalyn. In 1958, The Borden Co. moved the Jenkins family to San Antonio and the family settled in the rural community of Adkins, where they raised Quarter Horses. Martha graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1965.

On April 1, 1967, Martha married Elgynn Derek Sikes (Dutch). They had 4 daughters; Tonya Marie born in Waco, Sherrie Lynn and Cynthia Linette in San Antonio and Donna Elaine in Clifton. The Sikes family settled in Crawford, TX and purchased a feedlot with over 230 acres that housed over 100 head of cattle. Martha worked her fingers to the bone on the feedlot, while raising 4 children, attending McLennan Community College to receive her Cosmetology License, was a youth group leader and active member in the First United Methodist Church in Crawford, did lots of fundraising for United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and in her free time she loved to sing old country & western and Christian songs while playing her acoustic guitar. In 1986, Martha relocated to Fort Worth to pursue her career in Mortgage Collections Management. She eventually landed in White Settlement where she resided for the last 33 years. In 2009, Martha retired and began her next journey doing something she was passionate about ~ taking care of others. She received her Certified Nurse Assistant Certification and began working in Home Health Care. After fulfilling her goals, Martha retired for a 2nd time and spent her remaining years devoted to spending time with her daughters.

Martha is survived by her beloved daughters, Tonya Sikes of Gatesville, Sherrie Sikes of Ft. Worth, Cindy Sams of Crowley and Donna Sikes of Dallas; 3 beloved grandchildren; Brian (BJ) Kauffman, Brady Kauffman and Sophie Sikes, 2 beloved great-grandchildren; Brinley Evelyn and Bayleigh Marie Kauffman, 2 nieces; 1 nephew; many other friends and relatives.

Martha is preceded in death by her parents, John L. and Cecelia Cleon Jenkins, sister Phyllis Rockett and nephew Kevin Rockett.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Stroke Association www.strokeassociation.org