Our Staff

Chris was born in Jackson County but grew up in the Bethlehem community in Holmes County where he graduated from Bethlehem High School. Chris attended Chipola College and later attended Jefferson State College in Birmingham where he graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science. Chris was an insurance agent with Liberty National Life Insurance company for a number of years. He is active in the Marianna Community serving as a member of the Chipola Civic Club. He was the former member and past president of The Marianna Kiwanis Club. Chris attends Evangel Church in Marianna. Chris and his wife, Tracie have two sons who are both active in the funeral home. Prior to purchasing the funeral homes, he was the General Manager for a number of years. Chris is an accomplished pianist and enjoys playing at church when he is able. He also enjoys fishing, hunting, spending time with his family and woodworking.

Tracie is a lifelong resident of Jackson County, she grew up in Bascom and graduated from Malone High School. She attended Chipola Junior College where she became a licensed cosmetologist. She is married to Chris and has two sons, Jordan and Jonathan Sikes.

Dorothy Lipford Padgett, a graduate of Graceville High School in 1979, has worked at this funeral home for the majority of her life. She attended Chipola Junior College before obtaining her A.A.S. in Funeral Service Education from Jefferson State College in August 1987, also receiving her National Board Certificate in Funeral Service. Dorothy served her apprenticeship with her father, James N. Lipford Jr., before his passing in October 1988. Following the apprenticeship, in January 1989, she received her Funeral Directing and Embalming licenses in Florida. Since then, she has gained Funeral Directing and Embalming licenses in Alabama, and she has also became a licensed Life Insurance Agent and Pre-need agent in Florida, making her an exceptionally well-qualified licensed funeral director with decades of experience.

Jordan Sikes is a Jackson County native, growing up in the Bascom community and later moving to Marianna. He is a 2018 graduate of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas. Jordan is currently completing his Funeral Director and Embalmer internship and is soon to be licensed. Jordan is the eldest son of Chris and Tracie Sikes. Being the son of a funeral director, Jordan has been around the funeral home for many years. For the last eight years, Jordan has worked side by side with his father learning the ins and out of the family business. Jordan is married to Claresa Moore Sikes and they have one child. He is a member of Lifepoint Church where he serves on the production and worship teams. In his free time, Jordan enjoys being in the outdoors, grilling, volunteering at church, and traveling.

Claresa was born and raised in Holmes County, moving to Marianna in 2012. She joined the staff of James & Sikes Funeral Home in the fall of 2012 and quickly grew to love the business.

Claresa married Chris and Tracie’s oldest son, Jordan in 2016 and has been a vital part of the funeral home’s team. Claresa and Jordan had their first child in October of 2019. She is a graduate of Bethlehem High School, Chipola College, and Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas having degrees in Digital Graphic Design, Funeral Service Science, and Event Planning. She currently serves as the Worship Pastor at Lifepoint Church. Claresa enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and being in the outdoors.

Jonathan is Chris and Tracie's youngest son. He graduated from Graceville High School in 2014. Jonathan assists at the funeral home as well as Pinecrest Memorial Gardens. He enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with family.

Angie Knight has been with James & Sikes since 2018. Formerly a legal secretary for over ten years, she, along with her husband, Jeff became ordained ministers, graduating from the West Florida District School of Ministry, then both proceeded to become Commissioned Missionary Associates to the South American Country of Bolivia in 2016. They enjoyed their time abroad, but have returned to Marianna, where they call home, both finding ways to minister and serve people in many other capacities.

As office manager, Angie has found that she can serve people in a different, but needful capacity at the funeral home. She is a blogger for their personal ministry, as well as a personal website; a speaker; and writer for Street Talk Magazine. They attend Evangel Church in Marianna.

Angie and Jeff have two daughters, 11 grandchildren, and one little Shih Tzu who is her constant companion. She enjoys time with her family, cooking, gardening and reading. Still her one of her greatest joys, Angie assists her husband as much as possible with leading mission teams and serving in Bolivia.

Jeff Knight has been with James & Sikes since 2018. Apart from his mission work since 1994, Jeff’s most enjoyed occupation was working on an off-shore drilling rig, which he was employed for over 13 years. His grandfather was a Baptist minister and Jeff learned to love construction work, building and remodeling, as well as serving people, which as it happens, those are the very gifts that God has used him for on the mission field.

Before they left for the mission field, Jeff worked for the West Florida District Assemblies God headquarters from 2005 to 2017, when they left for Bolivia. Upon their return from the field, he immediately began volunteering at their church, which had just purchased the district headquarters and was very soon back in his role of facilities manager of the property.

In 2022, Jeff retired from his position at the church and came on staff full time at James & Sikes Funeral Homes, where he currently serves. His passion of missions remains strong and he and his wife, Angie continue to do mission work in Bolivia each year, leading kids crusades and building churches.

David Baldwin joined our team in November of 2014. He is a native of Oklahoma, a graduate of Northeastern Oklahoma State University with an MBA from the University of Tulsa. David and his wife, Susan raised their one daughter (now an ARNP in Dallas). David retired after 29 years with Amoco/BP in various financial controller positions working 19 years outside the US in Africa, Europe and Asia. David and Susan joined the Marianna community in 2006 and are active members of Marianna First Assembly. David has been involved in a number of missions trips and projects, and he and Susan love playing Aunt and Uncle and Grandparents to their extended family.

Ty Daniels is a lifelong resident of Jackson County, and currently resides in Cottondale. He is a 2005 graduate of Grand Ridge School and a 2010 graduate of Chipola College. Ty has been a part of James and Sikes since 2008. Ty serves as the chief of the Cottondale Volunteer Fire Department and is a member of Welcome Assembly of God Church in Dellwood.

Ray was born and raised in cottondale,Florida. He graduated from Chipley High School in 1970. He is married to Pauline Carter. Ray started working in the funeral business part time in the early 80’s. He enjoys camping and fishing in his free time.

Gary grew up in Graceville and graduated from Graceville High School in 1969. He moved to Panama City and retired from Gulf Power Co after 34 yrs. Gary was a member of the Florida Army National Guard from 1970 to 1976. He later moved back to Graceville in July of 2021 and started with James and Lipford Funeral Home in November of 2021. Gary and Ginger, his wife and best friend have been married for 30 years and they are members of Damascus Baptist Church.

Ginger is originally from Kentucky. She graduated from North Hardin High School in 1973 and Radcliff Beauty College later that same year. Ginger came to Florida on vacation and fell in love with it and moved to Panama City in the 80's. Ginger retired from Bay Bank & Trust Co. in 2007. Ginger and Gary moved to Graceville in July of 2021 and started with James & Lipford Funeral Home in November of 2021. They are members of Damascus Baptist Church. She has been married to her best friend and fishing buddy Gary Golden for 30 years.