Obituary

Helen Joyce Newsom Dykes

September 24, 1935 - March 27, 2023

Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21: 1-4

Helen Joyce was born to Ernest (Babe) Newsom and Zora Venable Newsom in Tangipahoa La. They lived in Kentwood La. as she was growing up and she graduated with honors from Kentwood High School in 1954. After high school she attended Baton Rouge Business college and worked in the old Louisiana state capital building prior to returning to Kentwood to marry her sweetheart Rodric Rudolph Dykes Jr. on July 7, 1956. They settled in the community of East Fork where they spent their entire lives raising their children Ernest Scott (Sandra) and Tracy Dykes LeBlanc (George).

Helen Joyce grew up in the Kentwood United Methodist Church and then joined East Fork Baptist Church after her marriage to Rodric and was a lifelong member and was remembered for her pecan brownies and stuffed celery for all occasions. 

Preceded in the loving arms of Jesus Christ by her mother and father, husband, brother Ernest Donald Newsom, sisters Doris Kennon and Elaine Hilburn. 

Survived by son and daughter and their spouses, grandchildren Seth Leblanc (Brooke), Cody Foster, Rodric (Lance) Dykes (Mallory), Nicole LeBlanc (Jhon Odevilas), Ben LeBlanc (Remi), Luke LeBlanc, Scotti Dykes Pennington (Eric). Great grandchildren, Collins Avery, Sam Andrew, Levitt James, LeBlanc; Killian Mackenzie, Khloe Grace Maza, Jackson Gabriel Odevilas; Theodore Lawrence (Teddy) Dykes. Numerous nieces and nephews and special cousin Edith Caillouet. Many thanks and love to special friend Theresa Nichols, Richard Murphy Hospice House and North Oaks Medical care team.

Visitation at East Fork Baptist Church from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Tuesday and from 8:30AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Services conducted by Rev. Jay Avance. Interment East Fork Cemetery, East Fork, LA. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Richard Murphy Hospice House or Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. 

McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.