Jerromie Frances Dykes

Jerromie "Dee" was born June 10, 1922 in a small community outside of Baton Rouge, called Scotlandville, to parents, Biago and Francesca Mancuso. The youngest of 10 children and the first in her family to complete high school. She graduated in 1939 from Baton Rouge High and then went to college at Charity Hospital School of Nursing in New Orleans, a division of LSU and Tulane. She knew from the age of 12 that she wanted to be a nurse. During her career she worked at several hospitals, doctor offices, psychiatric asylums, and private care services.

While working at St. Patrick Hospital in Lake Charles, one of the other nurses introduced her to Ralph Lee Dykes. Jerromie and Ralph wed on June 30, 1942. This union was blessed with the birth of five children, Dennis Wade Dykes, Darrell Wayne Dykes, Ralph Lee Dykes, Jr. "Peanut", Hazel Annette Dykes, and Loretta Elaine Dykes.

Mrs. Dykes received the Holy Ghost and was baptized in 1957 by Pastor Evans at the First United Pentecostal Church of Lake Charles and was a faithful member there until her death. She loved her God, her family, and her church.

Small in stature but big on determination, she faced each situation with an "I can attitude". Crippling sickness, The Great Depression, World War II, The Vietnam War, returning to the workforce after the death of her spouse, retirement, and old age she met each event with an inner strength that was amazing. God blessed her with good health and allowed her to do for herself and remain in her own home until the past two months.

She is survived by her son, Darrell Wayne Dykes and wife, Lena of Crockett, TX; daughter, Hazel Annette Dykes of Sulphur, grandchildren, Dennis Wade Dykes, Jr. and wife, Andrea, DeAnne Puente and husband, Joey, Shannon Dykes, Terri Baker and husband, Mitchell, Stephenie White, and husband, Wesley, Joseph Dykes and wife, Traci, Michael Davis and wife, Miranda, and Nolen Dykes and wife, Brittany; great-grandchildren, Dakota Swisher, Merideth Wallace, Ryan Baker and wife, Chelsea, Olivia Baker, Justin Baker, Clayton Baker, Brittney Dykes, Chase Dykes, Chance Davis, Kayla Davis, Emily Davis, Kimberly Davis, Hunter Peck, Joey Puente, Maddie Puente, Carmen Puente, Jewelleanna Dykes, Joseph Dykes, Jolie Dykes, Parker Elliot and Jaxson Dykes, Julia-Aleis White; daughters in-law, Dean Dykes and Sharon Pickett; niece, Julia Mere and husband, Claby and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Lee Dykes, Sr.; sons, Dennis Wade Dykes, Sr. and Ralph Lee Dykes, Jr.; daughter, Loretta Elaine Dykes; parents, Biago and Francesca Strata Mancuso; siblings, Jenny, Mike, Laura, Joe, Marie, Francis, Salvatore, Carlos and Alphonse.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Jerromie Mancusso Dykes will be held 11am, Friday, June 17, 2016 in the First United Pentecostal Church of Lake Charles with the Rev. Jeffrey Ralston officiating. Interment will follow in the Highland Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 5pm until 8pm at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com