Elven R. Dykes Jr.

Elven R. Dykes, Jr., age 75, of Mandeville, LA, passed from this earthly life to his heavenly home on September 19, 2018, following a battle with MSA (Multiple System Atrophy). A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 22, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 16333 Highway 1085, Covington, LA. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Graveside services will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Pavilion, 106 Morgantown Road, Natchez, MS, at 3:00 p.m. Mr. Dykes was born in Smithdale, MS, on December 3, 1942, the son of the late Raiford and Ann R. Dykes. He was a resident of Natchez, MS, until 1989 and was a former member of First Baptist Church, Natchez, where he served as a Deacon and taught Sunday School. In Natchez, Elven was also a former member of Belwood Country Club. In 1993, he made his home in Mandeville, LA. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Covington, LA, where he served as a Deacon, Chairman of Deacons, and taught Sunday School. Elven’s strong faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was unwavering to the end. Elven was a graduate of Natchez High School and attended Copiah Lincoln Jr. College in Wesson, MS. He was a loyal employee of Canal Barge Company of New Orleans for 41 years. His interests included being an avid outdoorsman, golfer, and Ole Miss football fan. He was preceded in death by his parents, and daughter, Tracy Dykes Volante. He is survived by his devoted wife of 26 years, Lucy Redd Dykes; children: Kevin Dykes of Madison, MS; Melanie White (Shelby) of Nashville, TN; George Forbes (Stephanie) of Gretna, LA; son-in-law: Kenny Volante of Mandeville, LA; grandchildren: Christopher Dykes, Britton Dykes, Lacy Roberts, Corey Roberts, Kenny Volante, Jr., Vaiden White, Cassidy White, Tyler Forbes, Allison Forbes; and great grandson: Ford Dykes. He was loved and respected by his family, his wife’s family, and his many friends. Elven’s gentle and kind spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A special thanks to St. Tammany Parish Hospital Hospice, Hospice House-Hospice Foundation of the South, and Home Instead caregivers for their loving, compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, 16333 Highway 1085, Covington, LA 70433 or to Hospice Foundation of the South, PO Box 5806, Slidell, LA 70469. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at First Baptist Church of Covington, 16333 Highway 1085, Covington, LA 70433 on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 11:00 AM with visitation at the church on Saturday beginning at 9:00 AM. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Natchez, MS.

Elven R. Dykes Jr.

December 3, 1942 - September 19, 2018