Sue Dykes

Sue Ellen Brown Dykes

1918-2015

SHREVEPORT, LA - Sue Ellen Brown Dykes, widow of the late Dr. D. L. Dykes, Jr., peacefully died on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at her residence in the Memory Care Unit of Montclair Park Assisted Living in Shreveport. She was 96 years old.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Sue Dykes will be held at First United Methodist Church on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Dr. Pat Day, Rev. Dr. Carl Rhoads, and Rev. David Stone will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street in Shreveport, LA.

Sue Dykes is beloved by her family and many, many friends. She is remembered as an intelligent, talented and engaging person who brought compassion and kindness into the lives of all who knew and loved her. Sue was an excellent teacher, a devoted volunteer in the United Methodist Church, an accomplished pianist and a quiet champion for the rights and dignity of all people everywhere.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1918, she was the youngest of five children of Martha and Robert Brown who served Methodist parishes throughout the state for nearly 50 years. She was a graduate of Fairpark High School in Shreveport, attended Centenary College of Louisiana for three years and graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas with a Bachelor's Degree in Education.

Sue Ellen Brown married David Leroy Dykes, Jr., a Methodist minister, in 1939 and together, they served churches in Louisiana and Arkansas for over 45 years. They served First United Methodist Church in Shreveport from 1955 until 1984 where she taught Sunday School and was a life-long member of United Methodist Women, serving in various positions including two terms as President.

Following the death of her husband, D. L. Dykes, Jr. in 1997, she continued her work with United Methodist Women, was a leader of the Alternate Views Network Class and was a Director of the D. L. Dykes, Jr. Foundation. She was also an active member of PEO, an international service organization.

She is survived by a son, Rev. David Robert Dykes, and his wife, Rev. Deborah (Debo) White Dykes of Jackson, MS. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Jennifer Dykes Tweit and her husband Dale, of Ely, MN, by Suzanna Dykes Kelley and husband Jason, of Ely, MN, by Clint Harris and his wife, Amy of Houston, TX, and by Ms. Julie Harris Shdeed of Oklahoma City, OK. She is survived by nine great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Dykes is also survived by brother-in-law, Bob Dykes and wife Cille of Shreveport and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Honoring Sue as pallbearers will be Rev. Ed Dilworth, Clay Eaves, David Henington, Rev. Kent Kilbourne, Rev. Lee McKinzie, and Benny Vaughan.

Honorary pallbearers will be Rev. Betsy Eaves and Dr. James W. Moore.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials may be made to D.L. Dykes, Jr., Foundation, 200 S. Lamar Street, Suite 130-S, Jackson, MS 39201 or to the charity of donor's choice.