Deceased Name: Emma Faye Hawkins Dyson

© Durant Daily Democrat

June 11, 2008

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Emma Faye Hawkins Dyson, 91, passed away June 8, 2008. She was born February 12, 1917, to Willis Sylvester Hawkins and Flora Jane Byrd, who were Bryan county pioneer families who established the first church, taught school and were postmaster and proprietor of the General Store in Yuba.

She was preceded in death by her parents, six sisters, five brothers, daughter-in-law, Greta Pruitt Dyson, son-in-law, Henry Bradford Keene and her beloved husband, Ralph Alexander Dyson.

After graduating salutatorian at age 17, she attended Southeastern Normal College, now Southeastern Oklahoma State University, in Durant.

She was a lifelong devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Yuba, where she taught Intermediate, College and Adult Sunday School Classes and Vacation Bible School. She directed and sang in church choir and was President of the Women's Missionary Union.

In her lifetime she was a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution, past worthy matron of three organizations affiliated with the Masonic Order, an installing officer of The Order of the Eastern Star in chapters of Oklahoma and Texas, Amaranth and White Shrines of Jerusalem.

She was Oklahoma State President of the REA Auxiliary. As a member of the "Greatest Generation," Faye will be remembered by her contributions to Ralph in their many farm and ranch endeavors.

She was a beautiful woman with quiet warmth, humble spirit, quick wit, great laughter and an enduring faith in God. She possessed a smile that mirrored her innate sweetness, generosity and love for her family, friends and The Lord God Almighty. She was a model of Proverbs 31 "Virtuous wife and mother" and will be greatly missed in this lifetime.

She is survived by her children, son, Ralph Ellis Dyson of Ardmore, son, Larry Don Dyson and wife Judy of Bonham, Texas, and daughter, Patricia Dyson Keene of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, David Dyson, Tracy Dyson Ford, Karla Dyson O'Hara, Alyssa Dyson Newell, Hilarie Dyson, Ellis Dyson, Russell Keene, Bradford Keene and Alexis Keene Collard; nineteen great-grandchildren; brother, W. J. Hawkins and wife Joyce of Satsuma, Florida and many beloved nieces and nephews and friends in her community and church.

The family would like to thank Jimmy and Molly Cain, Pat Mosley, Drew Fleming and many others at the Yarnaby Senior Center for their love and friendship in helping make her life richer and even happier in her later years in life.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Yuba. Former Pastor Joe Smith is officiating, assisted by Marty Hutchings, with interment to follow at Rosewood Cemetery in Achille.

Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmie Cain and Drew Fleming, with arrangements by Coffey Murray Funeral Home.

1 Corinthians 2:9 - - However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him."

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Faye's memory to the general fund of First Baptist Church of Yuba at 114 Romia Road, Bokchito, Oklahoma 74726.

Coffey-Murray Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.