Newport Plain Talk, The (TN) - Thursday, May 12, 2005
Deceased Name: Roland Dykes - Mayor Dykes dead at 74
LEBANON-Newport Mayor Roland Dykes died unexpectedly during an automobile accident on Interstate 40 en route to Nashville Wednesday morning.
He was 74 years old.
According to Tennessee Highway Patrol Spokesman Albert Strawther, Dykes was westbound on I-40 near milemarker 241 around 11 a.m. Central Time, when his vehicle left the road and struck a group of trees.
Although it was reported Dykes suffered a heart attack prior to the accident, Strawther said his office had not received confirmation from the medical examiner on the cause of the death.
Dykes had attended the Newport City Council meeting on Tuesday night and was reportedly traveling to Nashville for a lunch meeting with other mayors and Gov. Phil Bredesen and to join the 2005 Leadership Cocke County Class.
Ironically, the class was traveling by bus to Nashville and was caught in the ensuing traffic backup created by the accident.
"We passed by the accident," said Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan on Wednesday afternoon. "We saw where the car had left the road, gone down a little ravine and hit a group trees. The car was torn up pretty good and we commented at the time 'it looked like Roland's vehicle.' I didn't know it was him until my office called me just a few minutes ago."
Mayor Dykes was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Carol Smith Dykes.
He is survived by eight children; Terry Stewart, Roland A. Dykes, III, Stephanie (Dykes) Stewart, Gary Allen Dykes, Kathy (Dykes) Sims, Vivian (Dykes) Reed, Dion Dykes Sr., and Scottie Dykes.
Funeral arrangements, which are being made through Manes Funeral Home in Newport, were incomplete at presstime and will be published in Friday's edition of the Plain Talk.
***
Newport Plain Talk, The (TN) - Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Deceased Name: Roland Albert Dykes Jr.
Roland Albert Dykes, Jr., departed this life on May 11, 2005. He was born on April 30, 1931, to the late Roland Albert and Oray Dawkins-Dykes, Sr., of Newport, TN.
Roland is the youngest and only son of six children born to the late couple. Roland was born and raised in Newport, in the Jones Hill Community. He attended Tanner Elementary and High School, graduating in 1949. He continued his education at Morristown College, Class of 1951, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was a successful businessman, a civic leader, an active churchman and Newport's first black elected official in 1987, 1991 and 1995 serving as an alderman for the Newport City Council, and Vice-Mayor. Mr. Dykes served the city of Newport as Mayor since 1998.
Roland married the late Elizabeth Carol Smith in 1951. Together, they proudly raised eight children to adulthood. Terry (Felicia) Stewart, of Newport, TN., is a police officer with the Newport Police Department; Roland (Rhonda) Dykes, III, of Talbott, TN., is a district manager for Quaker Oaks, Inc.; Stephanie (Don) Stewart, of Newport, is a Head Start teacher with Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority; Gary Dykes, of California, is self-employed as a brick mason; Kathy (John) Sims, of Knoxville, is Executive Director of Human Resources for Knox County Schools; Vivian (Mark) Reed, of San Antonio, TX., is a special education teacher; Maurice Dion (Mary Lynn) Dykes, Sr. of Newport, TN., is the Media/Publication Designer for the Newport Plain Talk newspaper, a free-lance graphic artist and creative art director for the Holston Conference of the United Methodist in Knoxville; and Eric (Stacey) Dykes of Kingston, TN, is a State Farm Insurance agent.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 15 from 4-6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 212 Washington Avenue in Newport. Funeral services will follow at 6 p.m. Entombment will be at Resthaven Memorial Gardens on Monday, May 16 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tennessee Picnic Roland Dykes Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund at 260 Dykes St., Newport, 37821.
Manes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
***
Newport Plain Talk, The (TN) - Thursday, May 12, 2005
Deceased Name: Roland Dykes Jr. - Mayor Dykes remembered as a leader, more importantly, as a friend
NEWPORT-Although peers appreciated Mayor Roland Dykes Jr. as a public servant and community leader, they valued his friendship even more.
Shocked by the news of his death on Wednesday, many friends, as well as local and state leaders, reflected on their times with Dykes.
"My heart is broken-not only for his family and for myself, but for everyone who knew him," said Dykes' secretary, Janice Seay. "In fact, he was like family to me, and to a lot of people in this community.
"And Roland was always so proud of his own family," she added.
Seay said that Dykes, unlike many politicians, had no hidden agenda.
"Everything he did was for the good of the people of this community. There was not a selfish bone in his body," said Seay.
Seay pointed to the fact that, although Dykes had faced discrimination in many forms in his lifetime-past and present-"he was always able to rise above it.
"He taught me a lot about discrimination and how to deal with it," she said. "Roland was, perhaps, the most dignified and honorable man I have ever known, and I am proud to have been able to know him and spend time with him.
"We, the people of Newport, have lost more than just a mayor," Seay asserted.
"The citizens of Newport-black and white-respected Roland's position because of the man he was, rather than the other way around," she said. "He will be missed by so many."
"He was a great man, who served his community well and represented it well," said Newport Alderwoman Faye Fish, who has known Dykes for years.
"That smile of his said it all. He was respected across the state and was a very knowledgeable man. I'm just in shock."
"Roland was my mentor," added Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan Jr. "He was a gentleman and a man of conviction. If I could mold my person and professional behavior after anyone, it would be Roland Dykes.
"He would never focus on a problem-he focused on the solution. The way he conducted himself-from dealing with local issues to the Klan-he was a class act. He was a calm among the storms. Most of all, he was friend.
"I know he had a loving family and we will all miss him very much."
"I'm really sorry to hear it," said Cocke County Partnership President and EDC Director Don Hurst. "He was the epitome of a leader. His death is not only a loss for Newport, but Tennessee, as well.
"He was one of the longest serving members on the East Tennessee Development District-about 35 years. We had a great working relationship and he wanted to see things improve in Cocke County. It was a pleasure to work with him."
As Hurst pointed out, Dykes' impact also touched leaders on the state level.
"Mayor Dykes was a friend to me and one of the finest public servants I've known," said state Rep. Eddie Yokely from his Nashville office.
"It's so sad for our community to lose a man of that caliber. He served the people with their interests at heart. He will be sadly missed and our prayers go out to his family."
State Sen. Steve Southerland echoed Yokley's sentiment. "Mayor Dykes is a person all of Cocke County will miss," he said. "I've always had respect for him and he was a delight to work with.
"I appreciated his friendship. Every time you saw him, he had that smile. He never argued with anyone. He was not only a great Cocke Countian, he was a great American."
On Wednesday afternoon, the 2005 Leadership Cocke County Class visited the state Capitol where the state Senate paused its session to hold prayer for Mayor Dykes' family.
Governor Phil Bredesen also issued a statement on the death of Mayor Dykes.
"I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Mayor Dykes' passing today," said the Governor. "He was headed to the State Capitol to join me and a group of local mayors for lunch. Mayor Dykes was not only an outstanding public servant, and an icon in his own right, but he was also a great friend. We'll all miss him very much, and his family is in our prayers."
Newport Plain Talk Editor David Popiel has covered Dykes' life and activities for more than 30 years through the newspaper. "Roland Dykes was a courageous man. He was a gentleman. When it came to promoting and securing equality for Afro-Americans, he always took a firm and righteous stand but avoided extremism and radical action. Because of his attitude and actions he had earned great respect not only among blacks but the white community.
This explains his political and personal popularity-he was fair and friendly to all," said Popiel.
Deceased Name: Roland Dykes - Mayor Dykes dead at 74
LEBANON-Newport Mayor Roland Dykes died unexpectedly during an automobile accident on Interstate 40 en route to Nashville Wednesday morning.
He was 74 years old.
According to Tennessee Highway Patrol Spokesman Albert Strawther, Dykes was westbound on I-40 near milemarker 241 around 11 a.m. Central Time, when his vehicle left the road and struck a group of trees.
Although it was reported Dykes suffered a heart attack prior to the accident, Strawther said his office had not received confirmation from the medical examiner on the cause of the death.
Dykes had attended the Newport City Council meeting on Tuesday night and was reportedly traveling to Nashville for a lunch meeting with other mayors and Gov. Phil Bredesen and to join the 2005 Leadership Cocke County Class.
Ironically, the class was traveling by bus to Nashville and was caught in the ensuing traffic backup created by the accident.
"We passed by the accident," said Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan on Wednesday afternoon. "We saw where the car had left the road, gone down a little ravine and hit a group trees. The car was torn up pretty good and we commented at the time 'it looked like Roland's vehicle.' I didn't know it was him until my office called me just a few minutes ago."
Mayor Dykes was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Carol Smith Dykes.
He is survived by eight children; Terry Stewart, Roland A. Dykes, III, Stephanie (Dykes) Stewart, Gary Allen Dykes, Kathy (Dykes) Sims, Vivian (Dykes) Reed, Dion Dykes Sr., and Scottie Dykes.
Funeral arrangements, which are being made through Manes Funeral Home in Newport, were incomplete at presstime and will be published in Friday's edition of the Plain Talk.
***
Newport Plain Talk, The (TN) - Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Deceased Name: Roland Albert Dykes Jr.
Roland Albert Dykes, Jr., departed this life on May 11, 2005. He was born on April 30, 1931, to the late Roland Albert and Oray Dawkins-Dykes, Sr., of Newport, TN.
Roland is the youngest and only son of six children born to the late couple. Roland was born and raised in Newport, in the Jones Hill Community. He attended Tanner Elementary and High School, graduating in 1949. He continued his education at Morristown College, Class of 1951, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was a successful businessman, a civic leader, an active churchman and Newport's first black elected official in 1987, 1991 and 1995 serving as an alderman for the Newport City Council, and Vice-Mayor. Mr. Dykes served the city of Newport as Mayor since 1998.
Roland married the late Elizabeth Carol Smith in 1951. Together, they proudly raised eight children to adulthood. Terry (Felicia) Stewart, of Newport, TN., is a police officer with the Newport Police Department; Roland (Rhonda) Dykes, III, of Talbott, TN., is a district manager for Quaker Oaks, Inc.; Stephanie (Don) Stewart, of Newport, is a Head Start teacher with Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority; Gary Dykes, of California, is self-employed as a brick mason; Kathy (John) Sims, of Knoxville, is Executive Director of Human Resources for Knox County Schools; Vivian (Mark) Reed, of San Antonio, TX., is a special education teacher; Maurice Dion (Mary Lynn) Dykes, Sr. of Newport, TN., is the Media/Publication Designer for the Newport Plain Talk newspaper, a free-lance graphic artist and creative art director for the Holston Conference of the United Methodist in Knoxville; and Eric (Stacey) Dykes of Kingston, TN, is a State Farm Insurance agent.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 15 from 4-6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 212 Washington Avenue in Newport. Funeral services will follow at 6 p.m. Entombment will be at Resthaven Memorial Gardens on Monday, May 16 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tennessee Picnic Roland Dykes Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund at 260 Dykes St., Newport, 37821.
Manes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
***
Newport Plain Talk, The (TN) - Thursday, May 12, 2005
Deceased Name: Roland Dykes Jr. - Mayor Dykes remembered as a leader, more importantly, as a friend
NEWPORT-Although peers appreciated Mayor Roland Dykes Jr. as a public servant and community leader, they valued his friendship even more.
Shocked by the news of his death on Wednesday, many friends, as well as local and state leaders, reflected on their times with Dykes.
"My heart is broken-not only for his family and for myself, but for everyone who knew him," said Dykes' secretary, Janice Seay. "In fact, he was like family to me, and to a lot of people in this community.
"And Roland was always so proud of his own family," she added.
Seay said that Dykes, unlike many politicians, had no hidden agenda.
"Everything he did was for the good of the people of this community. There was not a selfish bone in his body," said Seay.
Seay pointed to the fact that, although Dykes had faced discrimination in many forms in his lifetime-past and present-"he was always able to rise above it.
"He taught me a lot about discrimination and how to deal with it," she said. "Roland was, perhaps, the most dignified and honorable man I have ever known, and I am proud to have been able to know him and spend time with him.
"We, the people of Newport, have lost more than just a mayor," Seay asserted.
"The citizens of Newport-black and white-respected Roland's position because of the man he was, rather than the other way around," she said. "He will be missed by so many."
"He was a great man, who served his community well and represented it well," said Newport Alderwoman Faye Fish, who has known Dykes for years.
"That smile of his said it all. He was respected across the state and was a very knowledgeable man. I'm just in shock."
"Roland was my mentor," added Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan Jr. "He was a gentleman and a man of conviction. If I could mold my person and professional behavior after anyone, it would be Roland Dykes.
"He would never focus on a problem-he focused on the solution. The way he conducted himself-from dealing with local issues to the Klan-he was a class act. He was a calm among the storms. Most of all, he was friend.
"I know he had a loving family and we will all miss him very much."
"I'm really sorry to hear it," said Cocke County Partnership President and EDC Director Don Hurst. "He was the epitome of a leader. His death is not only a loss for Newport, but Tennessee, as well.
"He was one of the longest serving members on the East Tennessee Development District-about 35 years. We had a great working relationship and he wanted to see things improve in Cocke County. It was a pleasure to work with him."
As Hurst pointed out, Dykes' impact also touched leaders on the state level.
"Mayor Dykes was a friend to me and one of the finest public servants I've known," said state Rep. Eddie Yokely from his Nashville office.
"It's so sad for our community to lose a man of that caliber. He served the people with their interests at heart. He will be sadly missed and our prayers go out to his family."
State Sen. Steve Southerland echoed Yokley's sentiment. "Mayor Dykes is a person all of Cocke County will miss," he said. "I've always had respect for him and he was a delight to work with.
"I appreciated his friendship. Every time you saw him, he had that smile. He never argued with anyone. He was not only a great Cocke Countian, he was a great American."
On Wednesday afternoon, the 2005 Leadership Cocke County Class visited the state Capitol where the state Senate paused its session to hold prayer for Mayor Dykes' family.
Governor Phil Bredesen also issued a statement on the death of Mayor Dykes.
"I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Mayor Dykes' passing today," said the Governor. "He was headed to the State Capitol to join me and a group of local mayors for lunch. Mayor Dykes was not only an outstanding public servant, and an icon in his own right, but he was also a great friend. We'll all miss him very much, and his family is in our prayers."
Newport Plain Talk Editor David Popiel has covered Dykes' life and activities for more than 30 years through the newspaper. "Roland Dykes was a courageous man. He was a gentleman. When it came to promoting and securing equality for Afro-Americans, he always took a firm and righteous stand but avoided extremism and radical action. Because of his attitude and actions he had earned great respect not only among blacks but the white community.
This explains his political and personal popularity-he was fair and friendly to all," said Popiel.
Newport Plain Talk, The (TN) - Thursday, May 12, 2005
Deceased Name: Roland Dykes - Mayor Dykes dead at 74
LEBANON-Newport Mayor Roland Dykes died unexpectedly during an automobile accident on Interstate 40 en route to Nashville Wednesday morning.
He was 74 years old.
According to Tennessee Highway Patrol Spokesman Albert Strawther, Dykes was westbound on I-40 near milemarker 241 around 11 a.m. Central Time, when his vehicle left the road and struck a group of trees.
Although it was reported Dykes suffered a heart attack prior to the accident, Strawther said his office had not received confirmation from the medical examiner on the cause of the death.
Dykes had attended the Newport City Council meeting on Tuesday night and was reportedly traveling to Nashville for a lunch meeting with other mayors and Gov. Phil Bredesen and to join the 2005 Leadership Cocke County Class.
Ironically, the class was traveling by bus to Nashville and was caught in the ensuing traffic backup created by the accident.
"We passed by the accident," said Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan on Wednesday afternoon. "We saw where the car had left the road, gone down a little ravine and hit a group trees. The car was torn up pretty good and we commented at the time 'it looked like Roland's vehicle.' I didn't know it was him until my office called me just a few minutes ago."
Mayor Dykes was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Carol Smith Dykes.
He is survived by eight children; Terry Stewart, Roland A. Dykes, III, Stephanie (Dykes) Stewart, Gary Allen Dykes, Kathy (Dykes) Sims, Vivian (Dykes) Reed, Dion Dykes Sr., and Scottie Dykes.
Funeral arrangements, which are being made through Manes Funeral Home in Newport, were incomplete at presstime and will be published in Friday's edition of the Plain Talk.
***
Newport Plain Talk, The (TN) - Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Deceased Name: Roland Albert Dykes Jr.
Roland Albert Dykes, Jr., departed this life on May 11, 2005. He was born on April 30, 1931, to the late Roland Albert and Oray Dawkins-Dykes, Sr., of Newport, TN.
Roland is the youngest and only son of six children born to the late couple. Roland was born and raised in Newport, in the Jones Hill Community. He attended Tanner Elementary and High School, graduating in 1949. He continued his education at Morristown College, Class of 1951, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was a successful businessman, a civic leader, an active churchman and Newport's first black elected official in 1987, 1991 and 1995 serving as an alderman for the Newport City Council, and Vice-Mayor. Mr. Dykes served the city of Newport as Mayor since 1998.
Roland married the late Elizabeth Carol Smith in 1951. Together, they proudly raised eight children to adulthood. Terry (Felicia) Stewart, of Newport, TN., is a police officer with the Newport Police Department; Roland (Rhonda) Dykes, III, of Talbott, TN., is a district manager for Quaker Oaks, Inc.; Stephanie (Don) Stewart, of Newport, is a Head Start teacher with Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority; Gary Dykes, of California, is self-employed as a brick mason; Kathy (John) Sims, of Knoxville, is Executive Director of Human Resources for Knox County Schools; Vivian (Mark) Reed, of San Antonio, TX., is a special education teacher; Maurice Dion (Mary Lynn) Dykes, Sr. of Newport, TN., is the Media/Publication Designer for the Newport Plain Talk newspaper, a free-lance graphic artist and creative art director for the Holston Conference of the United Methodist in Knoxville; and Eric (Stacey) Dykes of Kingston, TN, is a State Farm Insurance agent.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 15 from 4-6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 212 Washington Avenue in Newport. Funeral services will follow at 6 p.m. Entombment will be at Resthaven Memorial Gardens on Monday, May 16 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tennessee Picnic Roland Dykes Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund at 260 Dykes St., Newport, 37821.
Manes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
***
Newport Plain Talk, The (TN) - Thursday, May 12, 2005
Deceased Name: Roland Dykes Jr. - Mayor Dykes remembered as a leader, more importantly, as a friend
NEWPORT-Although peers appreciated Mayor Roland Dykes Jr. as a public servant and community leader, they valued his friendship even more.
Shocked by the news of his death on Wednesday, many friends, as well as local and state leaders, reflected on their times with Dykes.
"My heart is broken-not only for his family and for myself, but for everyone who knew him," said Dykes' secretary, Janice Seay. "In fact, he was like family to me, and to a lot of people in this community.
"And Roland was always so proud of his own family," she added.
Seay said that Dykes, unlike many politicians, had no hidden agenda.
"Everything he did was for the good of the people of this community. There was not a selfish bone in his body," said Seay.
Seay pointed to the fact that, although Dykes had faced discrimination in many forms in his lifetime-past and present-"he was always able to rise above it.
"He taught me a lot about discrimination and how to deal with it," she said. "Roland was, perhaps, the most dignified and honorable man I have ever known, and I am proud to have been able to know him and spend time with him.
"We, the people of Newport, have lost more than just a mayor," Seay asserted.
"The citizens of Newport-black and white-respected Roland's position because of the man he was, rather than the other way around," she said. "He will be missed by so many."
"He was a great man, who served his community well and represented it well," said Newport Alderwoman Faye Fish, who has known Dykes for years.
"That smile of his said it all. He was respected across the state and was a very knowledgeable man. I'm just in shock."
"Roland was my mentor," added Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan Jr. "He was a gentleman and a man of conviction. If I could mold my person and professional behavior after anyone, it would be Roland Dykes.
"He would never focus on a problem-he focused on the solution. The way he conducted himself-from dealing with local issues to the Klan-he was a class act. He was a calm among the storms. Most of all, he was friend.
"I know he had a loving family and we will all miss him very much."
"I'm really sorry to hear it," said Cocke County Partnership President and EDC Director Don Hurst. "He was the epitome of a leader. His death is not only a loss for Newport, but Tennessee, as well.
"He was one of the longest serving members on the East Tennessee Development District-about 35 years. We had a great working relationship and he wanted to see things improve in Cocke County. It was a pleasure to work with him."
As Hurst pointed out, Dykes' impact also touched leaders on the state level.
"Mayor Dykes was a friend to me and one of the finest public servants I've known," said state Rep. Eddie Yokely from his Nashville office.
"It's so sad for our community to lose a man of that caliber. He served the people with their interests at heart. He will be sadly missed and our prayers go out to his family."
State Sen. Steve Southerland echoed Yokley's sentiment. "Mayor Dykes is a person all of Cocke County will miss," he said. "I've always had respect for him and he was a delight to work with.
"I appreciated his friendship. Every time you saw him, he had that smile. He never argued with anyone. He was not only a great Cocke Countian, he was a great American."
On Wednesday afternoon, the 2005 Leadership Cocke County Class visited the state Capitol where the state Senate paused its session to hold prayer for Mayor Dykes' family.
Governor Phil Bredesen also issued a statement on the death of Mayor Dykes.
"I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Mayor Dykes' passing today," said the Governor. "He was headed to the State Capitol to join me and a group of local mayors for lunch. Mayor Dykes was not only an outstanding public servant, and an icon in his own right, but he was also a great friend. We'll all miss him very much, and his family is in our prayers."
Newport Plain Talk Editor David Popiel has covered Dykes' life and activities for more than 30 years through the newspaper. "Roland Dykes was a courageous man. He was a gentleman. When it came to promoting and securing equality for Afro-Americans, he always took a firm and righteous stand but avoided extremism and radical action. Because of his attitude and actions he had earned great respect not only among blacks but the white community.
This explains his political and personal popularity-he was fair and friendly to all," said Popiel.
Deceased Name: Roland Dykes - Mayor Dykes dead at 74
LEBANON-Newport Mayor Roland Dykes died unexpectedly during an automobile accident on Interstate 40 en route to Nashville Wednesday morning.
He was 74 years old.
According to Tennessee Highway Patrol Spokesman Albert Strawther, Dykes was westbound on I-40 near milemarker 241 around 11 a.m. Central Time, when his vehicle left the road and struck a group of trees.
Although it was reported Dykes suffered a heart attack prior to the accident, Strawther said his office had not received confirmation from the medical examiner on the cause of the death.
Dykes had attended the Newport City Council meeting on Tuesday night and was reportedly traveling to Nashville for a lunch meeting with other mayors and Gov. Phil Bredesen and to join the 2005 Leadership Cocke County Class.
Ironically, the class was traveling by bus to Nashville and was caught in the ensuing traffic backup created by the accident.
"We passed by the accident," said Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan on Wednesday afternoon. "We saw where the car had left the road, gone down a little ravine and hit a group trees. The car was torn up pretty good and we commented at the time 'it looked like Roland's vehicle.' I didn't know it was him until my office called me just a few minutes ago."
Mayor Dykes was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Carol Smith Dykes.
He is survived by eight children; Terry Stewart, Roland A. Dykes, III, Stephanie (Dykes) Stewart, Gary Allen Dykes, Kathy (Dykes) Sims, Vivian (Dykes) Reed, Dion Dykes Sr., and Scottie Dykes.
Funeral arrangements, which are being made through Manes Funeral Home in Newport, were incomplete at presstime and will be published in Friday's edition of the Plain Talk.
***
Newport Plain Talk, The (TN) - Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Deceased Name: Roland Albert Dykes Jr.
Roland Albert Dykes, Jr., departed this life on May 11, 2005. He was born on April 30, 1931, to the late Roland Albert and Oray Dawkins-Dykes, Sr., of Newport, TN.
Roland is the youngest and only son of six children born to the late couple. Roland was born and raised in Newport, in the Jones Hill Community. He attended Tanner Elementary and High School, graduating in 1949. He continued his education at Morristown College, Class of 1951, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was a successful businessman, a civic leader, an active churchman and Newport's first black elected official in 1987, 1991 and 1995 serving as an alderman for the Newport City Council, and Vice-Mayor. Mr. Dykes served the city of Newport as Mayor since 1998.
Roland married the late Elizabeth Carol Smith in 1951. Together, they proudly raised eight children to adulthood. Terry (Felicia) Stewart, of Newport, TN., is a police officer with the Newport Police Department; Roland (Rhonda) Dykes, III, of Talbott, TN., is a district manager for Quaker Oaks, Inc.; Stephanie (Don) Stewart, of Newport, is a Head Start teacher with Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority; Gary Dykes, of California, is self-employed as a brick mason; Kathy (John) Sims, of Knoxville, is Executive Director of Human Resources for Knox County Schools; Vivian (Mark) Reed, of San Antonio, TX., is a special education teacher; Maurice Dion (Mary Lynn) Dykes, Sr. of Newport, TN., is the Media/Publication Designer for the Newport Plain Talk newspaper, a free-lance graphic artist and creative art director for the Holston Conference of the United Methodist in Knoxville; and Eric (Stacey) Dykes of Kingston, TN, is a State Farm Insurance agent.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 15 from 4-6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 212 Washington Avenue in Newport. Funeral services will follow at 6 p.m. Entombment will be at Resthaven Memorial Gardens on Monday, May 16 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tennessee Picnic Roland Dykes Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund at 260 Dykes St., Newport, 37821.
Manes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
***
Newport Plain Talk, The (TN) - Thursday, May 12, 2005
Deceased Name: Roland Dykes Jr. - Mayor Dykes remembered as a leader, more importantly, as a friend
NEWPORT-Although peers appreciated Mayor Roland Dykes Jr. as a public servant and community leader, they valued his friendship even more.
Shocked by the news of his death on Wednesday, many friends, as well as local and state leaders, reflected on their times with Dykes.
"My heart is broken-not only for his family and for myself, but for everyone who knew him," said Dykes' secretary, Janice Seay. "In fact, he was like family to me, and to a lot of people in this community.
"And Roland was always so proud of his own family," she added.
Seay said that Dykes, unlike many politicians, had no hidden agenda.
"Everything he did was for the good of the people of this community. There was not a selfish bone in his body," said Seay.
Seay pointed to the fact that, although Dykes had faced discrimination in many forms in his lifetime-past and present-"he was always able to rise above it.
"He taught me a lot about discrimination and how to deal with it," she said. "Roland was, perhaps, the most dignified and honorable man I have ever known, and I am proud to have been able to know him and spend time with him.
"We, the people of Newport, have lost more than just a mayor," Seay asserted.
"The citizens of Newport-black and white-respected Roland's position because of the man he was, rather than the other way around," she said. "He will be missed by so many."
"He was a great man, who served his community well and represented it well," said Newport Alderwoman Faye Fish, who has known Dykes for years.
"That smile of his said it all. He was respected across the state and was a very knowledgeable man. I'm just in shock."
"Roland was my mentor," added Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan Jr. "He was a gentleman and a man of conviction. If I could mold my person and professional behavior after anyone, it would be Roland Dykes.
"He would never focus on a problem-he focused on the solution. The way he conducted himself-from dealing with local issues to the Klan-he was a class act. He was a calm among the storms. Most of all, he was friend.
"I know he had a loving family and we will all miss him very much."
"I'm really sorry to hear it," said Cocke County Partnership President and EDC Director Don Hurst. "He was the epitome of a leader. His death is not only a loss for Newport, but Tennessee, as well.
"He was one of the longest serving members on the East Tennessee Development District-about 35 years. We had a great working relationship and he wanted to see things improve in Cocke County. It was a pleasure to work with him."
As Hurst pointed out, Dykes' impact also touched leaders on the state level.
"Mayor Dykes was a friend to me and one of the finest public servants I've known," said state Rep. Eddie Yokely from his Nashville office.
"It's so sad for our community to lose a man of that caliber. He served the people with their interests at heart. He will be sadly missed and our prayers go out to his family."
State Sen. Steve Southerland echoed Yokley's sentiment. "Mayor Dykes is a person all of Cocke County will miss," he said. "I've always had respect for him and he was a delight to work with.
"I appreciated his friendship. Every time you saw him, he had that smile. He never argued with anyone. He was not only a great Cocke Countian, he was a great American."
On Wednesday afternoon, the 2005 Leadership Cocke County Class visited the state Capitol where the state Senate paused its session to hold prayer for Mayor Dykes' family.
Governor Phil Bredesen also issued a statement on the death of Mayor Dykes.
"I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Mayor Dykes' passing today," said the Governor. "He was headed to the State Capitol to join me and a group of local mayors for lunch. Mayor Dykes was not only an outstanding public servant, and an icon in his own right, but he was also a great friend. We'll all miss him very much, and his family is in our prayers."
Newport Plain Talk Editor David Popiel has covered Dykes' life and activities for more than 30 years through the newspaper. "Roland Dykes was a courageous man. He was a gentleman. When it came to promoting and securing equality for Afro-Americans, he always took a firm and righteous stand but avoided extremism and radical action. Because of his attitude and actions he had earned great respect not only among blacks but the white community.
This explains his political and personal popularity-he was fair and friendly to all," said Popiel.
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