North Georgia Conference

Tribune columnist Dykes passes away

There was a celebration of Dykes’ life Tuesday at Dalton First United Methodist Church with Dr. Robin Lindsey officiating.

A retired United Methodist Church minister from the North Georgia Conference, who served in many churches within the conference, Dykes was preceded in death by his parents, James M. and Margaret Dykes. He was also a very active and dedicated Mason.

Ruby Curtis said he had known Dykes for four years.

“I always called him Jamie because of his Scottish ancestry,” Curtis said. “We met online at one the sites that deal with ancestry research. We always enjoyed good conversation about anything and everything under the sun. He helped me find my way back to God after my husband died. He never preached, just helped me to find the path back. I don’t think that man ever knew a stranger. He would send me copies of his columns in advance and I would either agree with him or disagree, which would spark a lively debate. He will be sorely missed in Gadsden, Ala. He was a source of inspiration.”

Tribune Publisher Brian Arrington said Dykes will be greatly missed.

“Jim was a very dedicated writer,” he said. “Even when there was a storm that knocked out his power, or his column got lost in email, Jim would make sure we received it. He would travel to his church or the Home Depot to fax his columns. He rarely missed a deadline. We will miss his spirit and dedication.”

Dykes would often write about his childhood memories of school, railroads and family life in Alabama. 

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Dykes, of Rocky Face; son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Ashley Dykes, of Social Circle; sister and brother-in-law, Diana and Steve Pusey, of Tiger, and their son, Joe Pusey, of Statesboro; brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Helen Dykes, of Atlanta, and their daughter, Claire Dykes, of Savannah. He is also survived by an aunt, several cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family asks memorials be made to the United Methodist Children’s Home, 500 S. Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30030 or to the Dalton First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 627, Dalton, GA 30722.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhome ga.com .

Hinton Center Welcomes New Director of Program Ministries

Amy grew up in High Point, NC, graduated from Greensboro College and Duke Divinity School, and was ordained as an Elder in the Western NC Conference of the United Methodist Church. Since her graduation from Duke, she has lived and served in St. Andrews, Scotland, Mount Airy, NC, Cashiers, NC, Thatcham, England, and now Hayesville, NC. She shares a joy-filled life with many but especially with her husband, Timothy Moore, and daughter, Laura-Clare. The Director of Program Ministries serves as the developer and coordinator for all Hinton program involvements, training events, workshops, and consultations. Amy will also coordinate and guide the First Parish Project, an ongoing peer support and learning community for seminary graduates age 35 and under who are serving their first pastorate. Additionally, she will serve as the contact person on the Hinton staff for program involvements with all local church, district, and annual conference leaders and events.

Boyhood and other days in Georgia

Minutes of the annual conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South

The Methodist review quarterly

Looking at Methodist schools in the North Georgia Conference, an address delivered by Dr. Waighs G. Henry, Jr., at the session of the North Georgia Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, June 22, 1950

The Oxford Church, North Georgia Conference, 1952