Joyce Dykes

In Loving Memory of Joyce Maxine Clayton Dykes

Joyce Maxine Clayton Dykes, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on October 23, 2025, at the age of 87. Born in Shreveport Louisiana on September 29, 1938, Joyce lived a life marked by love, compassion, and unwavering faith.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Fount C. Dykes; her sons, Ron and Keith Dykes; her grandchildren, Justin, Micah, Jared, Lindsay, and Eric Dykes; her 5 great grandchildren and her brothers, Vernon Fred Clayton, Carl Clayton, and Charles Clayton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Max and Margaret Clayton, her sister, Barbara Jo Clayton, and her brother, John Clayton.

Joyce was an exceptional mother to her two sons, a phenomenal southern cook, and a creative soul who loved sewing and crafting. Her talents extended beyond the home, as she actively participated in her church community, coordinating and teaching Vacation Bible School whenever she could. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life-Jesus was her rock, and she believed deeply in the power of prayer. Joyce never met a stranger. Her warmth, empathy, and genuine care for others left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. She was a beautiful woman, inside and out, whose life was a shining example of Christian love and service.

Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those she loved and inspired. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

Acknowledgments

The family of Joyce Maxine Clayton Dykes wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the many comforting messages, prayers, and acts of kindness shown during this time of bereavement. Your love and support are deeply appreciated.

A funeral service for Mrs. Dykes will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 1st, 2025 at the Pulaski Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Providence Cemetery.

The family of Joyce Maxine Dykes will receive friends from 12:00 noon Saturday until time for services. Pulaski Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.


Eulogy for Joyce Maxine Dykes


Eulogy to my Mom:

My mom was a truly genuine and generous person, and I believe everyone blessed enough to have crossed her path would agree. She had a way of making people feel cared for, welcomed, and valued - whether she had known you for years or only a moment.

She came from humble beginnings and didn't have much growing up, but she never allowed that to define her. Instead, she made the very best of what she had and carried herself with grace, dignity, and class. She showed us that richness isn't measured by what you own, but by how you live, how you love, and how you treat people.

Mom loved to laugh and have fun with me and Keith. Her laughter was contagious. She could laugh until tears streamed down her face, and she'd say it "tickled her funny bone." And when she laughed like that, you couldn't help but laugh with her. Those moments weren't just funny, they were pure joy and I will hold onto them forever.

My mom was the most dedicated, loving, and caring mother. Every morning, she woke up early to fix breakfast for me and Keith before school and she continued doing it even when we were grown and working. She didn't just feed us; she nurtured us, comforted us, and gave us a sense of home and safety. Looking back now, I know just how much love was poured into those simple, everyday gestures. Mama truly spoiled us, and I'm grateful she did.

She loved puzzles, board games, and reading. She found joy in the little things - moments that others might overlook. She also loved gardening, and she canned the fruits and vegetables she grew with pride and care. It wasn't just about food; it was her way of providing, of loving, of giving a piece of herself to her family.

As I grew older, Mom didn't stop guiding me - she just guided me in new ways. She gave me direction, she believed in me, and she helped me set realistic goals that I could reach. She may not have had a college degree, but she was one of the wisest and most intelligent women I have ever known. Her lessons didn't come from books - they came from life, from resilience, from experience, and from a heart full of love.

I will miss my Mama deeply - her voice, her laughter, her comfort, and her presence. But I know she is still with me. She lives in the values she taught me, in the strength she instilled in me, and in the love, she poured into my life. Everything she gave me will continue to shape who I am and who I strive to be.

Mama, thank you for loving me the way you did, with your whole heart. Thank you for your sacrifices, your guidance, and the foundation you built for us. I am who I am because of you, and I will carry your love with me for the rest of my life.