Jeffrey Dale Dykes

1956 - 2026

JEFFREY DALE (“ROONEY”) DYKES, 69, of Bastian, VA, went home to be with the Lord he so faithfully served on Monday, March 9, 2026, at his earthly home, surrounded by his family. 

Jeff was born June 7, 1956 in Bland County, the son of the late Wallace & Frances Dykes. 

Jeff was a devout Christian. When he received the Lord and was saved, he made noticeable changes to his life. He was a proud member of the Bailey’s Chapel at Round Bottom church where he served as superintendent and as the main speaker for many years. His faith was strong and unwavering. 

Jeff loved hard. His first love was for the Lord, then for his family and a very close third was for his pet companion, “Bandit.” He was a devoted husband and father but his pride and joy was his grandchildren.

He had a big sense of humor and always had jokes.  He was a 1975 graduate of Rocky Gap High School where he was a star basketball player who held many state records for years. 

Jeff loved going for rides, listening and singing to gospel music and enjoyed selling items in his Flash Sales. 

Jeff’s life was a life well lived filled with faithfulness, diligence and stewardship. There is no doubt he was welcomed into Heaven by his Savior saying Well done, good and faithful servant; Enter into the joy of your lord.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parent, Wallace Eugene & Frances Virginia Ball Dykes, his brother, William Dykes, his sister, Pauletta Dykes and his very best friend, Steve Black.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 50 years, Cheryl Blankenship Dykes; his daughter, Alice Dykes; his son & daughter-in-law, Joseph & Christine Dykes; his beloved grandchildren, Abigail Dykes, Landon Dykes and Maggie Paisley;  his sister, Emma (“Sissy”) Dykes; a special “adopted” son, Jerome Browning; a very special caregiver, Brandy Stowers and his best friend, his special cat companion, “Bandit.” 

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. at A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, White Gate, with Pastor Don Scott officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, Bastian. 

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:00 P.M. until service time, 2:00 P.M. 

The Dykes family is in the care of A. vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, avestandsons.com, (540) 921-2985.