Mary Montague “Monti” Hudson Sikes, 91, of West Point, passed away on June 28, surrounded by the love of family and friends.
She is survived by her daughters, Mary Alicia Sikes and Amy Montague Sikes; her sister, Brenda Hudson Osborne; her double-first cousin Vivian Hudson Fleming; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Olen Sikes, daughter Allison Marolen Sikes, and her parents, Mary Barker Hudson and William Montague Hudson.
Born at the edge of the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Monti moved to West Point when she was a young girl. There, she met the love of her life, Olen Sikes. They enjoyed over 68 years of marriage and an even longer friendship. Their many travel adventures took them to Europe, all across the United States, and throughout the Caribbean. These destinations served as backdrops for many of Monti’s 15 published books and as inspirations for her innumerable works of art.
Monti earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Mary Washington and an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University. She also studied sculpture and painting in the Art Department at the College of William & Mary. Her artwork is in private and public collections in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Monti was a founding member of the Chesapeake Bay Writers Club and the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National League of American Pen Women. She was also a member of the Richmond Artists Association, the Virginia Writers Club, the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center, and the Maryland Pastel Society. In addition, she was a lifetime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a member of long standing in the West Point Monday Club. She also served on the Town of West Point Planning Commission for decades.
One of Monti’s first jobs was as a journalist for the Richmond News Leader. She later became a freelance travel writer, with her articles being published in newspapers across the country. Along with being a talented and prolific artist and writer, Monti was a teacher: First grade in Richmond, third grade and art in West Point, and French and art at York Academy in King & Queen County. She also served as the tennis coach while at York Academy. Many students told her even decades later that she was their favorite teacher.
A funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, July 9th, at Vincent Funeral Home, 417 11th Street, West Point, VA 23181. Interment will follow in Sunny Slope Cemetery, West Point, VA. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the funeral service.
A Celebration of Life for Monti, Olen, and Allison is planned for mid-fall, with details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the West Point Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box X, West Point, VA 23181 or 4 Paws (the TNR arm of Indian Rivers Humane Society), PO Box 264, Aylett, VA 23009.
