Carolyn Joyce Blackwell Dykes passed peacefully on April 6, 2026, at the Jasper General Nursing Home.  She was 82 years old.

Carolyn was born on October 8, 1943, in Bay Springs.  She is survived by her son, Christopher John; her daughter and son-in-law, Julie Kelsy and Philip Gabriel (Gabe) McNeil; her brother-in-law, Larry Nelson, and her most cherished blessings of all, her two granddaughters, Paige Gabrielle and Aubree Juliana McNeil.  They are also lovingly known to her as Tinkerbell and Penelope.  Carolyn was preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Jerry Lamar; her father and mother, Alonzo Terry and Gusta Mae Blackwell; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Geard Lamar and Jewel Ruth Dykes; her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ellen and Ralph Terry Jones; and her sister-in-law, Katie Ann Dykes.

She was a devoted Christian and longtime member of Stringer Baptist Church.  She helped with many activities and was always willing to assist with any wedding or shower planning.  She loved all things sparkly and would argue that you could never have too many rhinestones (a trait she shared with her eldest granddaughter, Paige).  She was a wonderful grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her girls.  Carolyn was a Southern Lady through and through.  She believed in poofy hair, makeup, hair spray, and panty hose.  She could be quite "sassy" at times and would never fail to say what was on her mind, even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear.  She could crack a joke in a second and kept her family laughing (which in the last few years was more of a blessing than she could ever know).  Carolyn loved the outdoors, travelling, and seeing new places.  She was a mountain person, but she absolutely hated heights.   Her flower gardens were always immaculate and beautiful.  She could grow anything and would fuss if you didn't have any "porch plants", then promptly go buy some and proceed to put them on your porch for you.  She loved to crochet, needlepoint, and sew.  She worked for many years serving the public in law and banking, retiring at Magnolia State Bank where she worked for more than twenty years.  She truly loved her job at the bank and everyone she met.  She never forgot a face and loved helping each and every one.

After her retirement, Carolyn provided around the clock care for her husband, Jerry.  She was a selfless, devoted, and loving caregiver until his death in 2023.  They truly had a love story people dream of meeting in high school and being married for almost 61 years.  They were both graduates of the 1961 class at Stringer High School and many of their classmates are still great friends of theirs today.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM with service directly following at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, Bay Springs, MS.  Bro.  Keith Ulmer and Bro. Josh Chandler will officiate the service.

Pallbearers will include:  Wade Hosey, Jared Hosey, Josh Dykes, Benjamin McNeil, Tommy Buckley, and Aaron Myers.

Honorary Pallbearers will include:  Larry Dykes, Philip McNeil, Matt McNeil, Shane Dykes, Glenn Myers, Paul Johnston, Bro. Drew Blanton, Steve Ishee, Randy Jones, Terry Jones, Charles Graham and the Class of 1961.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all the employees at Jasper General Nursing Home.  They went above and beyond in their care of Carolyn.