A.B. Dykes, 90, of Blackshear, passed away Wednesday afternoon, May 22, 2024, at his residence under the care of Georgia Hospice Care.
Born in Alma March 21, 1934, he lived in Green Cove Springs, FL for several years before moving to Pierce County in 1996. He worked for several years in the dairy industry and later retired from Taylor Concrete in Green Cove Springs where he had been a truck driver. While working for Taylor Concrete, he drove more than a million miles with no chargeable accidents. He loved to go fishing and enjoyed “junkin”, for which he did well at making an extra income for himself. Family get-togethers and fish fries were always enjoyed by him. He also enjoyed taking care of the feral cats in his neighborhood going as far as giving each one a name. He was of the Baptist faith.
He was a son of the late Delmus Zealand and Bessie Hutchinson Dykes. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alice Hodge Dykes; a son-in-law, Lewis Cooper; a grandson, Shaun Dykes; all three of his sisters, Jessie Pearl McMahon, Doris Daniels and Betty Langston and three brothers, Comer Dykes, James Dykes and Chester Dykes.
Survivors include his four children, Rita (Ronnie) Haynes, Hazlehurst, Charlene Darley, Vidalia, Rose (Richard) Cooper Garst, Hazlehurst and Abie (Renee) Dykes of Sanford, FL; a brother, Archie Dykes, Hazlehurst; a special friend, Eloise Border, Ft. Walton Beach, FL; 11 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
His wishes were to be cremated and for his family to have a celebration of life service for him at a later date.
Memorialization is by cremation.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
