Shirley Jane Sykes Tice, passed peacefully at home on January 1, 2026, surrounded by care and love.

She was born in 1950 in Clarksville, Tennessee, to Carrie and James Sykes and was raised alongside her siblings, Cecile, Rodney, and Barbara. From an early age, she demonstrated a love for learning and athletics, which later led her to attend Austin Peay State University, where she proudly played college basketball.

A longtime resident of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, she devoted many years of her life to serving her community. She worked for Oak Ridge City Schools as a senior English teacher and yearbook manager, where she made a lasting impact on her students and colleagues. In her later career, she continued her service through the City of Oak Ridge Parks and Recreation Department, from which she retired. Over the years, family members frequently encountered former students and community members who shared stories of her encouragement and the positive influence she had on their lives.

She found joy in simple and meaningful pursuits—gardening, spending time outdoors, playing basketball, bird watching, writing, and playing the piano. Like many lives, hers was shaped by both strength and struggle. In difficult seasons, she did her best to provide care and shelter for her children as she was able.

She was the mother of four children: Jesse, Dillon, Carri, and Adam, and grandmother of six grandchildren: Ethan, Saben, Lillian, Nicholas, Leo, and Jordan. In her writing, she often used the image of “Mom” reflected into “Wow,” a kind of personal signature she shared with her children.

Mom

_________

Wow

In the later years of her life, a debilitating brain disease gradually limited her world and reach of her influence. During this time, she was lovingly cared for by her longtime partner, Lemont, who remained faithfully by her side until the end of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carrie and James Sykes, her brother Cecile, and her sister Barbara. She is survived by her children, her grandchildren, and her brother Rodney, who resides in Middle Tennessee as well as nieces and nephews, Alecia, Alexis, Melissa, and CJ.

Services will be announced at a later date. 

Mott-McKamey Funeral Home and Cremations is assisting the Tice family.