Mary Lou Broxton Dykes, age 73, of Grand Ridge, FL gained her angel wings on Sunday, November 28, 2021 as she passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by friends and family at her daughters home.
Mary Lou was born on August 12, 1948 at their family home in Bonifay, FL. She entered this world fighting for her life as a premature baby and she exited this world with the same fight. She was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer just over a year ago and beat the prognosis of only a couple months. She loved life almost as much as she loved her family, friends, and dogs. She was always an animal lover and even had a collection of decorative frogs. When health wasn’t an issue, she enjoyed gambling in Biloxi, playing the lottery, talking to everyone she met at all the local stores, fishing, crabbing, working on puzzles, riding roller coasters, and drinking her giant cup of fountain Pepsi everywhere she went. Mary Lou was always the first to offer a helping hand to anyone in need but also the first to set someone in their place if she didn’t like something. Her spunky, outgoing personality is what she will always be remembered by.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her mother, Esther Bullock Amerson; grandmother, Melissa Bullock; son, Wesley A. Kutchey; grandson, Jarid A. Kutchey and special friend, Terry Gaspard.
She is survived by Kenneth L. Dykes, her once husband of 33 years whom remained her dearest friend and confidant; daughter, Catrinia M. Willis and husband, John of Grand Ridge, FL; step children, Julia “Judy” Bys and husband, Brian of Jacksonville, FL; Kenneth “Buddy” A. Dykes and wife, Nanner of Port. St. Joe, FL; Doug Dykes and wife, Vanessa of Wewahitchka, FL; David Dykes and friend Jessica Butler of Port St. Joe, FL; daughter in-laws, Tammy Kirkland and Melynda Williford of Grand Ridge, FL; grandchildren, Jaden Maryssa Willis, Eli Wayne Willis, Brandy Nacole Coulliette, Tiara Elaine Kutchey, Jason Bys, Elizabeth Bernsten, Stephanie Bys, Christa Gray, Kari Williams, Allen Dykes, Michael Bryant, Lilla Dykes, Loretta Lipford, Emily Butler, Whitney Butler and Chaim and Sebastian Bernsten; great grandchildren, Devin Crews, Raegan and Kensley Mathews, Adilyn and Carson Williams, Gavyn Bryant, Dustin, Destiny and Dylan Lipford, Shiley and Gabe Coulliette; She is also survived by special friends, Tanya, Lydia and Cameron Henry of Cypress, FL; Mike Doran of Edgard, LA; as well as Rhonda and Destiny Warner who graciously assisted with her care during her long battle with cancer.
A Funeral service for Mary Lou will be 2 P.M. Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at Marianna Chapel Funeral Home with Reverend Gary Gable officiating. Interment will follow in Dykes Cemetery with Marianna Chapel Funeral Home directing.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, December 6, 2021 at Marianna Chapel Funeral Home.
A special thank you would like to be given to TMH Cancer Center, Dr. Jain and his nurse whom was Marylou’s favorite staff member, Joe; her Neurosurgeon, Dr. Oliver; her Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner who still owes her a “Lunch Date”, David Lowery; all the staff on the 7th floor at TMH and the nurses from the Marianna Covenant Care & Hospice program. Sincere gratitude is also given to all those in our community for the love, prayers, and support this past year.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name at People’s South Bank.
Condolences may be made online at http://www.mariannachapelfh.com
