Mr. and Mrs. Douglas W. Sikes of Oran, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Mary Ellen Sikes, to Steven Micheal Gipson, son of Jeffrey and Carolyn Gipson of Fruitland, Mo.

Miss Sikes is the granddaughter of Mrs. Ann Mitchell of Paducah and the late Jessie Mitchell, Wilson Sikes and Ms. Becky Sikes of Paducah. She is a 2008 graduate of Oran High School and is pursuing a degree in dietetics from Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed by Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Mr. Gipson is the grandson of Martha Voiles of Arnold, Mo., and the late Merle Voiles, and Pauline Gipson Cranor of Jackson, Mo., and the late James Gipson. He is a 2005 graduate of Cape Central High School in Cape Girardeau and a 2009 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in communications. He is employed by the James Allen Companies in Cape Girardeau.

Wedding vows will be exchanged at 4 p.m. Oct. 1 at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Fruitland. All friends and relatives are invited. Only out-of-town invitations are being sent.