Samuel Dykes

MARLEY MILL COMMUNITY…MSGT Samuel G. Dykes (U.S. Army, Retired) died on February 15, 2023, at his home at the age of 83. He was a resident of the Marley Mill Community near Ozark.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Reverend Bill Hart and Reverend Jim Hill officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the church cemetery.  Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends and relatives at the church from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

Mr. Dykes, son of the late Lewe Frank Dykes and Bama Lee Bowdoin Dykes, was born in Dale County, near Ozark,  on February 26,1939. He was a 1957 graduate of Carroll High School and earned a A.S. degree from St. Leo University. Following 2 years in the National Guard, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served 22 years. He completed two tours in Vietnam, as well as tours in Germany, Alaska, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama.

After his military service, Mr. Dykes worked 20 years and retired from Michelin Tire Corporation. He also served as a volunteer firefighter and as President with the Marley Mill Volunteer Fire Department from 1993 to 2002. Mr. Dykes was an active member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday School and Discipleship Training teacher.

Mr. Dykes was preceded in death by an infant daughter, a granddaughter (Erica Calloway), a great grandson (Everett Heggins), a brother (Joseph Dykes) and his parents. He is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Margaret Marshall Dykes, daughters: Theresa Aderhold (Curtis) Redding, CA, Kathy Stram (Larry) Huntsville, AL, Wanda Majava (Thomas) Clermont, FL, Donna Calloway (Walter) Ozark, AL, and Dianne Benda (Derek) Tampa, FL. In addition, he is survived by his sister, (Martha Kelley), seventeen grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in his honor to the Marley Mill Volunteer Fire Department, 3299 North County Road 21, Ozark, Alabama 36360.