Obituaries | Week of Nov. 4, 2025
WAYNE NATHANIEL WHITE
Wayne Nathaniel White, age 89, of LaFayette, passed away peacefully on Oct. 30, 2025, at his home.
He was born on Dec. 11, 1935, in the Ridge Grove community. He was brought up in the shadow of his father’s country mercantile alongside his loving siblings, Jerry and Sybil. Wayne always knew the value of hard work as a young boy. He spent many days at his grandparents’ farm nearby, a generational farm he would later in life own and cherish. He would often recall how he loved swimming in the fishing hole and hunting in the woods. These are memories he would carry for a lifetime.
After graduating high school in 1954, Wayne moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He attended auto diesel college and later worked for General Motors in Atlanta. After his father’s untimely death, he returned to Ridge Grove to run the family mercantile. In 1965, after having married and starting a family, he cofounded Southern Sanitary Company. The business was a regional industrial corporation specializing in a wide assortment of products and equipment to service municipalities and industries. As the sole owner, he sold the business in 2000. He continued to work in the industry for another 23 years, servicing accounts he had called on for decades. After 58 years in the industry, Wayne reluctantly retired in 2023 at the age of 87. He loved his work, professional connections and being productive.
Wayne was also very civic and community-minded. He served five terms as a Chambers County commissioner, dedicating his time and efforts because he enjoyed doing so. He was instrumental in the construction of the James C. Morgan detention facility, the Chambers County courthouse annex and the establishment of Kia Corporation in Chambers County. He would often reflect on the trip to Korea and the cultural experience. Wayne was a dedicated member earlier in his life of the Alabama Jaycees. In 1970, he was recognized as a U.S. Jaycee director for outstanding leadership, vision and ability. He was very instrumental in the formation of Chambers Academy preparatory school, where he served on the original board of directors for many years.
After retiring, Wayne dedicated his time to caring for his farm and cattle. He cherished the moments he spent in his pastures, surrounded by his cows reflecting on the past. If the opportunity arose, he would never miss the chance to witness a deer or fish on his property. He always appreciated the satisfaction of a successful hunt or a good catch. His primary objective was to ensure that his land would be cherished and enjoyed by his family for generations to come. If anyone ever visited the “White Farm,” he would always hope that their experience had been enjoyable.
He was a member of Center Baptist Church in LaFayette, where he had the privilege of serving as the music director for many years. It was the church he attended as a child and where he raised his own children. It was a place of deep significance to him, and he has chosen it as the location for his funeral service and final resting place.
He was survived in life by his three children, David (Diane) White of Lafayette, Lisa (David) Siggers of Lafayette and Rick White of Auburn; his granddaughter Ashley (Corey) Blair; a great-grandson Caden Blair; his sister Sybil White Gregory of Dadeville; three loving stepchildren, Benny Andrews, Barry Andrews and Betty Lynn Walker; as well as many step-grandchildren.
Mr. Wayne White was a friend to many who knew him. He was always a great conversationalist and never met a stranger. He will be deeply missed.
EARNEST COOK SIKES
Earnest Cook Sikes, 78, of Cusseta, Alabama passed away Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.
Cook was born in the Fairfax, Alabama, community on Aug. 27, 1947, to Earnest Pierce and Bernice Cook Sikes.
He graduated from Valley High School in 1965, and then attended Auburn University where he received a B.S. in Agricultural Science. After graduation he was employed by the Alabama Farmers Home Administration working in Alabama communities and providing loans and grants for rural housing, community development and farming operations to farmers across the state. He served in this capacity in county FHA offices in Camden, Troy, Luverne, Monroeville and Hartselle.
In 1975 he was employed by Pennington Seed as a wholesale seed distributor for several southern states. He assisted in opening new offices in various Alabama, Mississippi and Louisianna towns. While living in Hartselle he was very active in civic affairs. He was president of the Morgan County Jaycees. Under his leadership the Jaycees completed and opened Sparkman Park in Hartselle in honor of the then U.S. Sen. John Sparkman.
In 1990, he moved back to the Lee County area and purchased his own farm supply store, Sikes Feed and Seed in Opelika. He opened additional stores for the Purina dealership in Auburn. He was an Alabama Master Gardener. He retired in 2014 after 24 years of owning and managing farm supply stores. His whole career of forty-four years was rooted in agriculture and was spent doing what he loved most —helping others grow quality plants, farm animals and pets.
He loved college football, particularly Auburn football. He was a member of the 50-year Auburn University Life Alumni Club.
He is survived by a son, Jason C. Sikes (Leann); daughter, Julie Sikes-Speir; three grandsons Laird Landers, Sikes Speir and James Pierce Speir; and two granddaughters Jessica Sikes and Jennifer Claire Sikes.
A funeral service was held Saturday, Nov. 1, at at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Steve Garnett officiated.
LARRY WINSTON WHITE
Larry Winston White passed away October 30, 2025, at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika, Alabama, after an extended stay due to complications from surgery.
Larry was born on Oct. 4, 1948, to Bertha and Fannie Mae Lumpkin White. He spent his childhood in Lafayette, and graduated from Lafayette High School in 1967. He attended Southern Union State Community College and received an associate degree. He also attended Auburn University.
He worked for many years at Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company and retired from Michelin Tire Company. Larry also ran White Construction Company and built beautiful furniture and cabinets.
He built and repaired computers as a hobby and had many loyal customers. Larry was also an avid offshore saltwater fisherman and spent many happy hours at the helm of his boat with his wife and friends aboard.
Larry is survived by his wife, Mary Jean Donaldson White, Opelika, Alabama, and one daughter, Stacey Ann Hall, Tallassee, Alabama. Another daughter, Serena Lynn Thompson, predeceased him. He has four grandchildren, Hannah Hall of Opelika, Harrison Hall of Tallassee, Ellie Hall of Spokane, Washington, Heaven Gullatte of Salem, Alabama, and one great-granddaughter, Maria Gullatte also of Salem.
The funeral service was held Nov. 2. followed by a graveside service at the LaFayette City Cemetery.
Flowers will be accepted or in lieu thereof a donation to the Lee County Humane Society will be appreciated.
Jeff Jones Funeral Home in LaFayette assisted with the arrangements.
