James Luther Dykes

Funeral services for James Luther Dykes, 87, will be Wednesday June 5, at 2 pm at Byrd Funeral Home with the Rev. Mark Lilly and Rev. Hugh Kirkland Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 5 at 1 pm at the funeral home.

Mr. Dykes passed away at home surrounded by his family and friends on June 1, 2013. He served in the Navy during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. He married Flowers Robinette on March 15, 1948. He and Flowers were married for 60 years until her death on March 26, 2008. He was a successful businessman, opening Dykes Body Shop in 1957, and operated it for more than 50 years. He loved his family, fishing, gardening, Yorkies, (Missey, Macey, Hoss and Pixie) and NASCAR. He always pulled for Chevrolet to win. He and Flowers were members of Cloverdale United Methodist Church.

Mr. Dykes was born the 6th child of William Wesley and Bessie Vera Hollis Dykes in Midland City on October 19, 1925. He attended Midland City schools. At the age of 17 he began working at Sanitary Dairy to help support his family.

Mr. Dykes was preceded in death by his wife, Flowers Robinette Dykes, his parents, four brothers Ortho (Edna), Leslie (Nancy), Hazel, and Dan (Janice.) Sister: Louise Herring (Reverend Horace.)

Mr. Dykes is survived by two brothers: Cecil (Luverna) of Dothan and Robert Dykes of Ozark, brother-in-law Reverend Louie Frank Robinette (Bobbie Anne) of Clanton and sister in law Margaret Dykes of Cape Canaveral, FL. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews including Jerry Hutto (Carolyn)of Wauchula, FL; Margaret Barnes Woodard (Dr. Daniel Woodard) of Cape Canaveral, FL; Dr. Michael Barnes (Ann) of Indian Pass, FL; Shannon Barnes (Dr. David Word) of Gainesville, FL; Susan Barnes (Dean Morrill) of Austin, TX; Sandy Barnes Brackin of Smith’s Grove, KY; Tim Barnes (Tanya) of Anniston; Debbie Lingo Kirkland (Hap) of Bon Secour, Steve Lingo of Bon Secour, Babbie Heilmeier (Dr. Johnny Heilmeier) of Summerdale, Louie Ann Robinette Whisnant (Jim) of Parchman, MS and Robin Robinette Price (Tim) of Clanton as well as many great nieces, great nephews and great great nieces and nephews. He was loved by many friends including M.L.Hilyer, Charlie and Shirley Nelson, Sara Deese, Nancy Ennis, Diane Sewell, and Willa Dean and Lamar Hadden.

He and Flowers lived in the Cloverdale area of Dothan for more than 60 years. They raised Sandy Brackin until the age of 18 when she left to attend The University of Alabama.

The family wishes to extend deep gratitude to Johnny and Babbie Heilmeier for devotion and care giving to James and Flowers.

Pallbearers will be Dr. David Word, Michael Sewell, Benjamin Edison, Shane Lindsey, Patrick Kirkland, Justin Martin.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Dykes requested donations to Cloverdale United Methodist Church 102 Rollins Ave, Dothan, AL 36301.

BYRD FUNERAL HOME-3409 W. Main St., Dothan, AL 36305 (334 793-3003)