Obituaries:  Dr. D. L. Dykes, Sabine Parish       D-220
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Feb 26, 1997
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net


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Dr. D. L. Dykes

  Funeral services for Dr. D. L. Dykes, one of Shreveport's most
prominent religious leaders, were held Monday, Feb. 24, at 10:30
a.m., in the First United Methodist Church of Shreveport.
Officiating were Dr. Pat Day, Dr. Jim Moore, Rev. Barry Bailey,
Rev. Oscar Player, Rev. David Dykes, and Dr. David Stone. Burial
followed in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Pleasant Hill, at 3:30
p.m., Monday, with arrangements under the direction of the
Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

  Dr. Dykes, 79, who was born in Pleasant Hill, died Friday
morning, Feb. 21, at Schumpert Medical Center. He had been
hospitalized about 10 days for a heart related illness. In 1985
he suffered both a heart attack and stroke, then underwent triple
bypass surgery. He recovered and remained active until shortly
before his death.

  A former pastor of the Zwolle United Methodist Church, Dr. Dykes
served as pastor of the First United Methodist Church in
Shreveport for thirty years. He was well known as a preacher,
innovative educator, and fearless spokesman for human rights and
justice, during his career.

  A graduate of Centenary College, Dr. Dykes served for years, as
a Trustee, and was founder of it's Centenary School of Church
Careers. The college recognized his longtime service and
accomplishments by awarding him an honorary doctorate in 1954,
and naming him to its Hall of Fame in 1975.

  Following graduation from Centenary, his first job was as a YMCA
secretary in Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended Emory
University. He pastored several churches before returning to
Shreveport.

  As pastor of First United Methodist Church from 1955 until 1984,
when he retired, Dr. Dykes saw the church membership grow. During
his first year as pastor, he began the weekly television
broadcast of the worship service, a practice still observed
today.

  Upon retirement, he was president of the Alternate View Network,
which he helped found in 1985.

  Among his many honors and awards over the years, are included
Shreveport Young Man of the Year, 1947, and Mr. Shreveport
Optimist Award, 1975. He held memberships on the Caddo Parish
Mental Health Board, Downtown Development Committee, Shreveport
Chamber of Commerce, Shreveport Metro Ministries Council for
Aging, and the Shreveport Ministerial Alliance.

  Over the years, he was a guest speaker for numerous college
baccalaureates, and the United Methodist Conference. With the
Conference, he served as Past Chairman of Committee on Pastoral
Counseling, and the Board of Ministry. He has been awarded
citations by the National Association of Christians and Jews for
"Outstanding Community Service and Brotherhood".

  Survivors include his widow, Sue Ellen Brown Dykes; a son, the
Rev. David R. Dykes and his wife Deborah White Dykes; four
grandchildren, Jennifer Dykes Arcila and her husband Warren,
Suzanna Dykes, and Clint and Julie Harris; one brother, James R.
"Bob" Dykes and his wife Cillie, the Rev. and Mrs. J. W.
Matthews, Mrs. Mary Virginia Brown, Mrs. Neva Brown Salter; and
numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by many devoted
friends and associates.