Verna Leola Dykes

Verna Leola Dykes, 83, of Rockland passed away May 21, 2020.

Born February 12, 1937 in Montgomery County, Texas to the late Joe and Ida Durham, she lived in Rockland where she graduated high school.  After graduation, she married W. D. Dykes and they started their life in Beaumont, Texas later moving to Houston.  In 1989 after W. D. retired they returned to the old home place in Rockland where they enjoyed their remaining years.  Verna loved her grandchildren dearly and raised most of them with love and care.  She was a member of Rocky Springs Baptist Church where she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary before moving her membership to Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.  She was the matriarch of her family who not only took care of them but helped out any way she could whether by cooking a meal, lending an ear when they needed someone to talk to or just being there knowing that her love would get them through.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Ida Durham and her loving husband, W. D. Dykes.

Verna is survived by her loving family, sons, Ted Dykes and wife, Kay of Huffman, Doug Dykes and wife, Gloria of Rockland; daughter, Kathy Harrell and husband, Jimmy of Riverside, Tx; brothers, Billy Durham of San Augustine and Lash Clark of Grangerland, Tx; sister, Frances Moore of Grangerland, Tx; ten grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, May 23, 2020, at 2pm at the Riley Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Milton Powers and Brother Clifford Durham officiating.  Burial will follow at the Kitchens Cemetery in Rockland, Tx.  Visitation will be held Saturday from 12 noon until the time of the service.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ted Dykes, Clarence Connor, Donnie Graham, Billy Dykes, Carl Dykes and Michael Souza.

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